Arianna “Ari” Ott, 15

Arianna “Ari” Ott, 15, of Plover, passed away at home on Sept. 11, 2024.

Ari was born on March 8, 2009, in Weston, Wisconsin, the daughter of Michael and Tara (née Hornik) Ott. Even as a baby, Ari was full of personality. She was a free-spirited child with a wild imagination and creativity. As a small child, she often avoided bedtime by pretending to fight monsters. Her infectious giggle could make anyone laugh, no matter how frustrated they were.

Ari was a freshman at Ben Franklin Middle School, where her favorite activity was hanging out with friends. She spent many afternoons at Iverson Park, going on walks and enjoying time with her friends. Known as the life of the party, Ari had a gift for making people laugh and coming up with fun ideas. She loved putting on shows with her best friend, Eva, creating skits and serenading their mothers with singing.

Ari’s humor and eccentric personality left a lasting impression on everyone she met. She loved singing, dancing, and laughing, and her bright smile and infectious laugh will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

While Ari didn’t talk much about her future, she joked about joining the military or marrying rich so she wouldn’t have to work. Her mother, Tara, suggested she become a comedian, given her knack for roasting people and making others laugh.

Ari is survived by her mother, Tara; her father, Michael; her siblings, Addison and Cayden Ott; her grandparents, Catharin and Leon Janssen, Bill Ott, Mark and Valerie Nienow, Lisa Churkey, and Gary Churkey; and her great-grandmother, Shirley Leslie. She is also survived by many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her great-grandparents, Elaine and Clarence Nienow, Walter Hornik, Neil and Marjorie Archie, and William “Bill” Churkey, affectionately known as Beepa; her great-uncle, Johnny Vann; and her great-great-grandmother, Betty Vann.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, at Shuda Funeral Chapel, 3200 Stanley St., Stevens Point. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service. A celebration of life will follow from noon to 2 p.m. at Iverson Park.

Ari’s family extends heartfelt thanks to the community for their love and support during this difficult time, and to Ari’s friends for honoring her memory.