Gene L. Osterhaus 1949-2012

OSTERHAUS, DEMMER, NADERMANN, KRAPFL

Posted By: Cheryl Moonen (email)
Date: 1/19/2015 at 18:07:14

Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, IA) - Saturday, November 10, 2012

DYERSVILLE, Iowa - Gene L. Osterhaus, 63, of Dyersville, died Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012.

Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica, Dyersville, with the Rev. Noah Diehm officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13, at Kramer Funeral Home, Dyersville, where a vigil service will be held at 4 p.m.

Gene was born on April 1, 1949, in Dubuque, son of Clarence "Clay" and Irene (Demmer) Osterhaus. He graduated from Beckman High School with the class of 1967.

He worked as a local contractor/handyman for many years in Dyersville. He had a well-rounded set of skills that covered construction, electrical and plumbing. He was able to build or fix most anything and had acquired many of the tools to do the jobs over the years. Gene was very generous with his talents and would help anyone who asked. He also was known for being able to tell a good story and always had a positive outlook and disposition.

Having spent his boyhood on the farm, Gene had a love of agriculture, livestock and wildlife, which could be considered his only hobby. In recent years, he hatched, raised and released chukar partridge and bobwhite quail, with the intention of raising and releasing other species of fowl.

Surviving are his children, Nick Osterhaus, of Dyersville, and Jenny (Steve) Nadermann, of Williamsburg; grandchildren, Elijah Osterhaus, Megan Krapfl, Griffin Nadermann, one due in December, and Shana Thein; a sister and six brothers, Joan (David) Kramer and Bill Osterhaus, both of Dyersville, Tom (Rosie) Osterhaus, of Indianapolis, Allen (Ellie) Osterhaus, of Merriam, Kan., Ron (Bonnie) Osterhaus, of Wheatridge, Colo., Jim (Sue) Osterhaus, of Guttenberg, and Larry (Penny) Osterhaus, of Jamberoo, NSW, Australia; several nieces and nephews; and many cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.kramerfuneral.com.