Rae Ferrara

Rae Ferrara returned to the arms of her soulmate and husband of many years, James Otten, on March 24, 2025. 

She is preceded in death by her father, Joseph “Georg e ” Ferrara; and mother, Bridget “B” Ferrara. 

She is survived by brothers, Joseph Ferrara, and Robert Ferrara; and sister, Darlene Eskow. 

While born in New York, she and her family moved to New Jersey where she spent the majority of her youth. Rae’s father George passed when she and her brothers were young. When war came, Rae enlisted like so many other young people she knew. Rae spent two years in Vietnam. While serving on a firebase she sent her pay back home to her mother, helping to take care of her two small brothers. Rae was wounded in action twice. She received numerous awards, including a Purple Heart. 

When war times ended, Rae came home and went to college. Rae would end up working and eventually leading an environmental task force back in Jersey. She and James both retired from law enforcement and moved to a small town called Eminence to spend their retirement years in peace. They would end up running a momand-pop store to share their love of all things trains, cars, and automotives. 

Rae had an absolute heart of gold. She loved fiercely and without prejudice. She was so deeply loved and she will always be cherished. Welcome home. 

No services are planned. Cremation arrangements were under the direction of Yarber Mortuary, Eminence, Missouri. Condolences may be expressed at www.yarbermortuary.com