1920
Walter
2012
Walter Ostenson
March 30, 1920 — August 19, 2012
Walter Phillip Ostenson was born March 30, 1920 in Barrett, Minnesota to Oscar and Caroline (Thompson) Ostenson. He grew up on the family farm and attended country school through the eighth grade. With the help of his brothers, Tilmer and Albert, they milked cows and worked the land after the death of their father.
He was drafted into the army immediately following Pearl Harbor and served in the 743rd Tank battalion during WWII. He survived the D Day invasion when his boat capsized before hitting the beaches and was pulled unconscious from the English Channel. When he awoke in the belly of a British mine sweeping boat, he said it was so hot that he didn't know if he was in heaven or in hell. He returned to the front and continued fighting for two more years. After the war, he returned to Barrett where he met and married Hazel Johnson on his birthday, March 30, 1946. There was no excuse for forgetting their anniversary. They raised their children while living on the farm, first west of Elbow Lake and then at Erdahl Township. Walter served on a number of boards including Elbow Lake Coop Oil, Grant County Soil Conservation, Erdahl Lutheran Church, Erdahl Township, and the Elbow Lake School Board during the time of the new school addition. Walter was a farmer. He loved to work the land and would become excited to begin planting every spring. He always had cows- first dairy and then beef cattle. He was known as a cow whisperer. He loved to dance and spend time with family and friends. On Sunday, August 19, 2012, Walter passed away at Prairie Ridge Hospital, Elbow Lake at the age of 92. He is survived by his wife Hazel, his brother Albert, his children Roger (Carmela) Ostenson, Phoenix, Arizona, Curtis (Betsy) Ostenson, Elbow Lake, Robert (Donna) Ostenson, Atlanta, Georgia, and Jeffrey (Patsy) Ostenson, Ashby, his son-in-law Flo Kinzel, his grandchildren Jessica (Jim) Krupicka, Ryan Ostenson, Marcus Ostenson, Craig (Rose) Ostenson, Emily Ostenson, Alex (Caileen) Ostenson, and Kyle Ostenson, his great-grandson Tyler Krupicka, and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded by his parents, his brother Tilmer Ostenson, his sisters Beatrice Johnson, Harriet Lehman, and Lillian Paulson, and his children Carol Jean Ostenson, Michele Kinzel, and Steven. A Memorial Service will be held at 1 PM, Friday, August 24, 2012, at Peace Lutheran Church in Ashby with Rev. Carol Olson officiating. Patty Kakac will provide special music including a piece she wrote for Walter. Visitation will take place from 5 - 7 PM Thursday at the Erickson-Smith Funeral Home in Elbow Lake, and continue one hour prior to services at the church. Interment will be at the West Elbow Lake Cemetery, rural Elbow Lake.
Funeral Home: Erickson-Smith Funeral Home - Elbow Lake 116 1st Street NE Elbow Lake, MN US 56531
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Service
Friday, August 24, 2012
cemetery
Friday, August 24, 2012
He was drafted into the army immediately following Pearl Harbor and served in the 743rd Tank battalion during WWII. He survived the D Day invasion when his boat capsized before hitting the beaches and was pulled unconscious from the English Channel. When he awoke in the belly of a British mine sweeping boat, he said it was so hot that he didn't know if he was in heaven or in hell. He returned to the front and continued fighting for two more years. After the war, he returned to Barrett where he met and married Hazel Johnson on his birthday, March 30, 1946. There was no excuse for forgetting their anniversary. They raised their children while living on the farm, first west of Elbow Lake and then at Erdahl Township. Walter served on a number of boards including Elbow Lake Coop Oil, Grant County Soil Conservation, Erdahl Lutheran Church, Erdahl Township, and the Elbow Lake School Board during the time of the new school addition. Walter was a farmer. He loved to work the land and would become excited to begin planting every spring. He always had cows- first dairy and then beef cattle. He was known as a cow whisperer. He loved to dance and spend time with family and friends. On Sunday, August 19, 2012, Walter passed away at Prairie Ridge Hospital, Elbow Lake at the age of 92. He is survived by his wife Hazel, his brother Albert, his children Roger (Carmela) Ostenson, Phoenix, Arizona, Curtis (Betsy) Ostenson, Elbow Lake, Robert (Donna) Ostenson, Atlanta, Georgia, and Jeffrey (Patsy) Ostenson, Ashby, his son-in-law Flo Kinzel, his grandchildren Jessica (Jim) Krupicka, Ryan Ostenson, Marcus Ostenson, Craig (Rose) Ostenson, Emily Ostenson, Alex (Caileen) Ostenson, and Kyle Ostenson, his great-grandson Tyler Krupicka, and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded by his parents, his brother Tilmer Ostenson, his sisters Beatrice Johnson, Harriet Lehman, and Lillian Paulson, and his children Carol Jean Ostenson, Michele Kinzel, and Steven. A Memorial Service will be held at 1 PM, Friday, August 24, 2012, at Peace Lutheran Church in Ashby with Rev. Carol Olson officiating. Patty Kakac will provide special music including a piece she wrote for Walter. Visitation will take place from 5 - 7 PM Thursday at the Erickson-Smith Funeral Home in Elbow Lake, and continue one hour prior to services at the church. Interment will be at the West Elbow Lake Cemetery, rural Elbow Lake.
Funeral Home: Erickson-Smith Funeral Home - Elbow Lake 116 1st Street NE Elbow Lake, MN US 56531
Previous Events
VisitationThursday, August 23, 2012
5:00 PM
- 7:00 PM
Erickson-Smith Funeral Home - Elbow Lake
116 1st Street NE
Elbow Lake, MN 56531
Friday, August 24, 2012
1:00 PM
Peace Lutheran Church
218 Church Street
Barrett, MN 56311
Friday, August 24, 2012
West Elbow Lake Cemetery
Elbow Lake, MN
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