The Fergus Falls Daily Journal

Walter Phillip Ostenson, 92, of Barrett, died Sunday, Aug. 19, 2012, at Prairie Ridge Hospital in Elbow Lake.

He was born March 30, 1920, in Barrett, the son of 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 World War II. 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 Co-op 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.

He is survived by his wife Hazel; his brother Albert, his children, Roger (Carmela) Ostenson, Phoenix, Ariz., Curtis (Betsy) Ostenson, Elbow Lake, Robert (Donna) Ostenson, Atlanta, Ga., 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 was 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.

Visitation: Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home, and one hour prior to the service at the church Memorial Service: 1 p.m. Friday, at Peace Lutheran Church, Ashby

Clergy: Rev. Carol Olson

Burial: West Elbow Lake Cemetery, rural Elbow Lake

Funeral Home: Erickson-Smith Funeral Home, Elbow Lake

Condolences may be sent online at EricksonSmithFH.com