William C. Bill Kottke, 81, of Owatonna, died Saturday, September 13, 2014 at Koda Living Community in Owatonna. He was born April 2, 1933 in Owatonna, Minnesota the son of Carl and Adeline (Partridge) Kottke. Bill grew up in Owatonna, MN where his father owned one of the local jewelry stores, Kottke's Jewelers, founded in 1919. Following a celebrated high school career that resulted in Bill later being honored as a Charter Member into the OHS Athletic High School Hall of Fame, Bill attended Drake University. While in college, Bill married his Grade School sweetheart, Faye Allyn (they have been sweethearts since 6th grade at Roosevelt School where they first met) they have been married now for over 60 years. Bill graduated from Drake in 1955 with a degree in Retail Management. He remained in Des Moines and worked for a wholesale jewelry company called Ardan's. Bill worked there for 10 years, working his way up to becoming their Merchandise Manager and helped design their mail order catalog. In 1965 Bill and Faye and their family of four, moved back to Owatonna to join his father in the family jewelry store and continued to run this store nearly 50 years later. Kottke's Jewelers is now in its 95th year and is the oldest store in Owatonna still run by the same family, in the same location, in the heart of downtown Owatonna. Kottke's Jewelers is also known as the Ticketmaster of Owatonna, selling tickets for most of the community events. Bill realized early on the importance of giving back to the community that has been so good to him, his family and the family business. In doing so, Bill has been on the Board of Directors and was past President of the Little Theatre of Owatonna and the Owatonna Sports Boosters - two programs that he and his wife helped start. In addition, Bill has been President of the Owatonna Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Business Association, Owatonna Park & Rec, Rotary, and the Owatonna Shrine Club. Bill served on the Board of the River Trails Girl Scout Council, the Owatonna Country Club, Associated Church and currently serves as a Trustee on the Owatonna Foundation Board. For their dedication, passion and commitment, Bill and Faye have been the recipients of two community service awards - the Community Arts Award and the Friends of Education Award. Bill was also recognized as a Person of Hope by our local Cancer Society during one of their Relay for Life events. Bill was a two-time cancer survivor, beating both Prostate Cancer and later, Breast Cancer. Bill has been active in the Minnesota State Jewelers Association serving on the Board for over 20 years and is a Past President. Bill was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Jewelers Association for his commitment and dedication to the organization. Bill and Faye and Kottke Jewelers were recently notified that they will be the recipients of the 2014 Small Business Live United Award by the local United Way organization. Bill was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He loved spending time with his family at their cabin on Beaver Lake. He also enjoyed his downtown community. He was a an active member of Associated Church, Eagles, and Elks. Bill was a Chamber Ambassador, Mason, and Shriner. He was a longtime supporter of Owatonna sports and performing arts. Bill and Faye truly and dearly love this community. This is their home�¦this is where their friends and family live�¦and they have lived every day, investing their time and energy into making this community the place that they hold in their heart so dearly. He is survived by his wife Faye Kottke of Owatonna; daughter, Michelle Kottke of Bloomington; sons, Mark (and Cindy) Kottke of Winona, Matt (and Lisa) Kottke of Owatonna, and Marty (and Carrie) Kottke of Vadnais Heights; six grandchildren; two great grandchildren; nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Carol Tite, and brother, Marshall Kottke. Visitation will be at Michaelson Funeral Home on Tuesday, September 16, 2014 from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM with the family present for greeting friends from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. A Masonic Service will be held 8:00 PM Tuesday at the funeral home. Visitation will also be held Wednesday from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at The Associated Church. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, September 17, 2014 at 11:00 AM at The Associated Church with The Reverend James D. Oberg officiating. Interment will be in the Forest Hill Cemetery in Owatonna. Memorials are preferred to Owatonna Foundation or Shriners Hospital for Children. Visitation: 09/16/2014 14:00 09/16/2014 20:00 Service: with the family present for greeting friends from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the service at the church. A Masonic Service will be held 8:00 PM Tuesday at the funeral home. 09/17/2014 11:00