Otto M. Brissing, 87, died March 4 at Messenger House on Bainbridge Island.

He was born on Sept. 5, 1915 in Copenhagen, Denmark. His family came to the United States when he was a teenager and settled in upstate New York.

He worked in the Works Progress Administration during the Depression. He also sailed as a merchant mariner prior to joining the U.S. Army.

He was a career soldier, completing 20 years of service and was discharged as a master sergeant. He served in Germany and Japan among other assignments.

After his army career, he worked for the U.S. Postal Service and the State of Washington, Dept. of Agriculture, Division of Animal Health.

He lived most of his post-military life in the Olympia area, moving to Messenger House three years ago to be near family.

He was preceded in death by his wife Ruby in 1969, and by all of his siblings.

He is survived by a sister-in-law, Doris A. Jones of Everett; and a son and daughter-in-law, Peter Brissing and Mary Jane Hynes of Bainbridge Island.

Services will be held at 10 a.m. March 10 at Port Madison Lutheran Church on Bainbridge Island. Remembrances can be made to the Northwest Adoption Exchange, 600 Stewart Street, Suite 1313, Seattle, WA 98101

Arrangements are under the direction of Kass Funeral Home, Bainbridge Island.