Steve Ottiger

Steve Ottiger

December 26, 1936 — March 5, 2026

Steve Ottiger lived a life defined by patience, craftsmanship, and kindness – values shaped by Swiss tradition and carried with him across oceans to America. An award-winning master cheesemaker, whose greatest pride was his family, Steve died on March 5, 2026, at age 89.

One of ten children, and one of only two siblings who immigrated to the United States, Steve was first and foremost a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. While his professional accomplishments earned wide respect, those who knew him best remember a man who believed hard work and good people were inseparable – and who lived that belief every day. He showed love not through grand gestures, but by showing up – consistently and without fanfare.

Raised on a farm in the canton of Lucerne, Switzerland, Steve’s life in cheesemaking began almost before he could remember it. As an infant, he lay in a basket beneath a shade tree while his mother and older brothers worked on the family farm. As a young boy, he delivered milk to the local cheese factory, often lingering to watch it slowly transform into cheese. Those early mornings, shaped by routine and care, instilled in him a respect for a discipline that quietly set the course of his life.

By 18, Steve had completed a formal cheesemaking apprenticeship. His calm demeanor and dedication to his studies were so evident that the monks at his school believed he might one day become a priest – but cheesemaking ultimately proved to be his true calling.

After his apprenticeship, at 19, he briefly was a motorcycle driver for captains of the Swiss military. He was widely appreciated for always knowing the best places to take leaders for great meals. He soon returned to cheesemaking and volunteered to travel to America on behalf of a Swiss cheesemaker, hoping to learn English and build ties with British and American suppliers.

That first brought Steve to Darlington, Wisconsin, in 1959, where he worked at the Burke Cheese Factory. He attended night school to learn English with the same dedication he applied to his craft. After returning briefly to Switzerland for his father’s funeral, Steve made the difficult decision to return permanently to America in 1961, leaving behind his mother, six brothers, and three sisters. He endured a 27-hour journey on small propeller planes through heavy turbulence to build a new life in America, a story he later shared with his grandchildren.

He then took his skill and leadership to Ohio, helping strengthen and modernize cheesemaking operations while honoring old-world traditions at their core. In Wilmot, Ohio, he helped turn a small, hands‑on cheese house into a modern production facility. It was also there that he met the love of his life, Mary, beginning a partnership grounded in shared values, faith, and unwavering support. His successful transformation in Wilmot was capped off by a campaign visit from then-Ohio Governor George V. Voinovich.

Steve spent the last chapter of his professional life at Guggisberg Cheese in Sugarcreek, Ohio. Working alongside colleagues, he helped convert an aging Holmes County factory into an automated Swiss cheese plant whose products earned recognition at the Ohio State Fair and national and international competitions, including U.S. and World Championship contests. While he took quiet satisfaction in these honors, awards were never what mattered most to him…people did.

Known for his patience and steady presence, Steve led by example and had a deep appreciation for people. He valued working side by side with employees, collaborating with buyers and suppliers, and taking pride in creating a nutty, flavorful cheese that brought joy to others. His peers recognized his lasting impact on the industry with the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association Vanguard Award - an honor that reflected both his technical excellence and his character.

Above all, Steve was a family man, finding his greatest joy in time spent with those he loved. Though he grew up in Switzerland with soccer as the national pastime, he eventually embraced American sports, developing a particular affection for football and Ohio State - proof that some traditions, like people, are meant to travel.

Steve took special joy in being a grandfather. He was deeply interested in the lives of his grandsons and made a point of connecting with each of them in their own way. He followed their early football and basketball games, enjoyed chess with Ryan, talked photography with Danny, and followed Jake’s curiosity about technology with fascination. Nothing made him prouder than seeing the young men they were becoming.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Mary; his sons, Mike and Matthew; his cherished grandsons, Jake, Danny, and Ryan; and their mother, Meighan. He is also lovingly remembered by extended family in Switzerland, Missouri, Indiana, and Ohio, as well as by countless colleagues, neighbors, and friends.

Years ago, Steve’s family gave him a wooden sign that read, “World’s Best Cheesemaker.” Those who loved him know that title extended beyond his craft. He was a husband who stood steady, a father who led quietly, and a grandfather who watched with pride as young lives unfolded.

Steve’s legacy is not only in the traditions he preserved, but in the family he loved so completely. He lives on in their stories, their values, and in every life he touched. He will be deeply missed – and always remembered.

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