Willard Joseph Johann Oestmann -1926 - 1998

OESTMANN, IHDE, GEERTS, MENNE, TORKELSON, MEYER

Posted By: Connie L. Ellis (email)
Date: 12/27/2010 at 10:21:01

SOURCE: Postville, Iowa HERALD October 28, 1998
Contributor: Connie Ellis (Not related)

Funeral services for Willard Oestmann were held Saturday, October 24, 1998 at 11:00 a.m. in St. Paul Lutheran at Postville, Iowa. The Reverend T.M. Marks officiated. Marian Schutte was the organist with special music by Ronald Meyer. The Schutte Funeral Service of Postville was in charge of arrangements. Burial was in the Postville Cemetery.

Willard Joseph Johann Oestmann, the son of Frederick Wilhelm Oestmann IV and Alvina Martha Magdalene (Ihde) Oestmann was born November 10, 1926 at Postville, Iowa. He passed away Tuesday evening October 20, 1998 in Palmer Lutheran Health Center at West Union, Iowa. He had reached the age of 71 years, 11 months, and ten days.

He was baptized in December of 1926 by the Reverend E.T. Finck in St. Paul Lutheran Church in Postville. His sponsors were Joseph Ihde and Johann Schroeder. Willard was confirmed on March 17, 1940 by the Reverend Frederick R. Ludwig, also at St. Paul Lutheran Church. Willard attended the Henderson-Prairie School and was graduated from Postville High School in 1944. Following graduation he farmed with his father on their farm in Fayette County.

On October 8, 1952 Willard entered the US Army and served in Korea. He was honorably discharged in 1954. During his lifetime Willard enjoyed collecting things such as pencils, pens, salt and pepper shakers and other items. He was proficient with his hands and enjoyed making doilies. He had made many of them over the years.

Willard is survived by five nieces and nephews, Judy (David) Geerts of North Washington, Iowa, Kathryn (Richard) Menne of West Union, Iowa, Beverly (David) Torkelson of Monona, Iowa, Kenneth F. (Becky) Meyer of Castalia, Iowa, and Keith (Brenda) Meyer of Castalia, Iowa. Also surviving are several great nephews and nieces, two great-great nephews, cousins, friends, and neighbors.

He is preceded in death by his parents, a brother and sister who died in infancy and two sisters, Rosina Oestmann and Ora Gene (Mrs. Orville V. Meyer).

Willard was a lifetime member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Postville and a member of the Postville Historical Society.

Casket bearers were Anthony Meyer, Cory Geerts, Nicholas Torkelson, Michael Meyer, Jason Menne, Andrew Meyer, Marc Menne, and Alexander Meyer.