Gordon E. Osthus

Gordon E. Osthus

Watertown - Gordon E. Osthus, 75, passed away on Monday, March 8, 2021 at Prairie Lakes Hospital.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, March 12, 2021 at Hosanna Lutheran Church in Watertown with Pastor Craig Werling and Pastor Janine Rew-Werling officiating. Music will be provided by soloists Hank Roso and Tami Petersen, and pianist Elaine Vanderlaan.

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m., Thursday, March 11, 2021 at Hosanna Lutheran Church.

Burial will be at Mount Hope Cemetery, Watertown, SD. Military honors will be conducted by Codington County Post 17 of the American Legion and SD Army National Guard Funeral Honors Team. Following the burial there will be a reception open to all at the Midwest Bible Camp dining hall, 1500 N Hwy 20, in Watertown.

Pallbearers will be Randy Rakness, Leroy Gunderson, Tom Erickson, Adam Smith, Charlene Kruger, Lori O'Farrell, Kobe Kettwig and Brian Norberg.

Honorary Pallbearers will be the Watertown Optimist Club and Gordy's Morning Men's Groups.

Gordon Eugene Osthus was born on April 4,1945 near Centerville, SD to Clifford H. and Arlene L. (Erickson) Osthus.He was a proud Centerville alum and graduate of the University of South Dakota at Vermillion. While attending the university, Gordy enrolled in the ROTC program and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army. He was stationed at Ft. Hood, TX from 1967-1969.

Gordy married Lynn Petersen on July 20, 1968 in Centerville. They moved to Watertown in 1969 where Gordy began his career first as a 9th grade math teacher while also obtaining his masters degree from South Dakota State University. Gordy spent the majority of his career as the Corporate Training Coordinator at Lake Area Technical College, retiring in 2003. Gordy and Lynn have two children, Sarah Witt (Nathan) of Cambridge, Nebraska and Grant Osthus of Watertown and one granddaughter, Gretchen Witt.

Throughout the years, Gordy has been a high school sports referee, held a commercial pilot's license, been an insurance agent, an active member of many military organizations and community and church groups, and a devoted follower of his children's various activities. However, Gordy was most proud of his instrumental role in bringing the trolley to Watertown. He cherished being the Watertown Trolley Conductor, always ready to show visitors the beauty of his city. This passion led to being honored as Grand Marshal of the Holiday Lighted Parade in 2010 and being named Watertown Ambassador of the Year in 2018.

When Gordy wasn't at home you may have found him on the golf course if you were there at sunrise.

In earlier years he would be riding his bicycle (even across Iowa!) or playing tennis or racquetball. He was a life member of the Watertown Optimist Club, led several bible studies and attended countless Promise Keepers events. Attending family reunions, class reunions and organizing the annual block party were also an essential part of his life.

Gordy was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents. He is survived by his wife, children and granddaughter; two brothers, Larry (Jodi) Osthus of Des Moines, IA and Brent (Dianne) Osthus of Sioux Falls, SD and one sister, Brenda (Merlin) Smith of Sioux Falls, SD and many brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins.

In his own wishes, Gordy would like any memorials to be directed to the following: Hosanna Lutheran Church organ fund, 1617 14th Ave. NE, Watertown; Midwest Bible Camp, P.O. Box 545, Watertown; or the Optimist Club Ice Arena fund, P.O. Box 1632, Watertown, SD 57201.

As Gordy would end every correspondence, "May all who come behind us, find us faithful."

Arrangements by Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel, www.wightandcomes.com.