David Lawrence Osterhout went to Heaven on September 8, 2023, at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where the care administered cannot be understated, as it far exceeded all expectations.
David was born on August 15, 1938, to Helen (Smith) Osterhout and Marcus Osterhout in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. Dave spent his childhood years in Watertown and LaCrosse before joining the United States Navy on June 26, 1956. He met his one true love, Diane Nelson on a train when he was returning home on leave in 1958. They corresponded through written letters for a year while he finished his tour of duty, as a testament to their enduring love, They have kept these cherished letters throughout the years. On July 16, 1960, they were wed at Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church in Minneapolis.
A world-traveler, fisherman, adept cook and baker, avid reader, pianist and perhaps most importantly to him, a caregiver. Dave was a mentor, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, brother, and friend, but above all else: a man of faith.
David is preceded in death by his parents, brothers George, Jeff,John, brothers-in-law David Nelson, David Lorbecki, one grandchild, and one great-grandchild.
Survived by the love of his life, his wife, Diane, sister Nancy Lorbecki of Elk Heart Lake, Wisconsin, daughter Deb Gross (Jan) of Dell Rapids, South Dakota, sons Darren Osterhout (Ann) of Sasebo, Japan, Dwayne Osterhout (Ngoc) of Navarre, Florida and Doug Osterhout (Jennifer) of Bath, Maine. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson, many nieces, nephews, cousins and life-long friends.
A service to honor David’s memory will be held on April 25th, 2024,
A Memorial Service will be held at the Fort Snelling Memorial Chapel at 12:30 PM located at 1 Tower Ave, Minneapolis MN 55450 on April 25th. Interment at Fort Snelling is scheduled for Friday April 26th at 1000 am with full military honors.
Memorials to honor Dave can be made to the Dell Rapids United Methodist Church located at 505 E 5th St, Dell Rapids S.D. 57022
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of David Osterhout, please visit our floral store.