Eugene Oesterle

Eugene J. Oesterle, 89, of Waukon died Wednesday, December 19, 2018 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Funeral services were held Saturday, December 22 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon with Fr. Mark Osterhaus officiating. Burial was at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Waukon.

Eugene John Oesterle was born May 1, 1929 to John and Laura (Schellhammer) Oesterle in rural Lansing on the Schellhammer family farm. He attended country schools before farming with his dad. September 30, 1950, Gene married Darlene Heiderscheit at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lansing; they celebrated 68 years together.

After getting married, Gene worked in La Crosse, WI before returning to the Waukon area to farm. In 1967, he started his own business, Oesterle Pump Service, until semi-retiring after about 20 years; he then worked for Welch LP, Waukon schools as a custodian, and then as a transit driver.

In his early years, Gene enjoyed playing league softball in Lansing. After retirement, camping was a favorite pastime for him and Darlene and the whole family. Gene and Darlene also enjoyed going out to supper and to dances with close friends. Gene had a passion for Iowa Hawkeye football and basketball and got to experience a basketball game when his grandson was Herky the Hawk. Most of all, he enjoyed being with his children and grandchildren and joking around with all the people he became acquainted with.

Survivors include his wife, Darlene, of Waukon; four children: Lana (Keith) Grady and Terry (Diane) Oesterle, both of Waukon, Shari Reicks of Decorah and Teresa (Joel) Sommer of Waukon; eight grandchildren: Jason (Chris) Grady, Heather (Jesse) Delaney, Shane (Shanit) Oesterle, Kari (Chad) Kelly, Matt (Rebekah) Johnson, Maria (Mike) Anderson, Tyler Sommer and Shelby (Dan) Iseli; 16 great-grandchildren plus one due to arrive in January; his sister, Ruby Carolan of Newhall; and a brother-in-law, Harry (Marlene) Abel of Marquette.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents; a son-in-law, Jim Reicks; a brother-in-law, Larry Carolan; and his father- and mother-in-law, Frank and Bernice Heiderscheit.

Honorary casketbearers were members of Gene’s coffee club. Casketbearers were Shane Oesterle, Chad Kelly, Matt Johnson, Jesse Delaney, Jason Grady, Mike Anderson, Tyler Sommer and Dan Iseli.

Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.