Ralph G. Oftedahl

Ralph G. Oftedahl

http://www.leadertelegram.com/obituaries/2016/04/07/Ralph-Oftedahl.html

Ralph G. “Pete” Oftedah
Ralph G. “Pete” Oftedahl passed away April 5, 2016, at Dove Healthcare in Osseo, Wis., after a brief illness. He was born Dec. 24, 1919, to Lauritz and Mina (Myhre) Oftedahl in Osseo. Pete graduated from Lincoln Hill High School in 1939 and continued his education at Luther College and Eau Claire Teacher’s College (UW Eau Claire). He entered military service during World War II in January 1942 and served in the North Africa and Italian campaigns. At the conclusion of the European campaign, his unit was being reassigned to the South Pacific when the Japanese surrendered. Pete was honorably discharged from the service in September 1945, after serving 33 months overseas.
Returning home, he met and later married the love of his life, Edith Bratsven, on June 19, 1948, at the Osseo Lutheran Church. To this union two children were born - Peter in 1956 and Caryn in 1959. The family took many trips, including road trips to California, Montreal for Expo ‘67, Washington D.C., New York City and Mount Rushmore.
Pete worked for the U.S. Postal service for 38 years, the last 25 as a rural carrier. He retired in 1984. He was a member of the National Rural Carriers Association. After retirement he was a substitute Pete was a lifetime member of the Osseo Evangelical Lutheran Church, and served a term as president. He was also a 55-year member of the Osseo Masonic Lodge No. 213 F&AM. He served as past master and longtime lodge secretary, and was a 32nd degree Mason of the Eau Claire Consistory. Last year he received a Certificate of Continuous Membership recognizing his 70 years as a member of American Legion Post 324. He was a lifetime member of the Osseo Golf Club. He served as a Trempealeau County Jury Commissioner for 10 years. Pete was interested in Scouting, and served as Cubmaster and assistant Boy Scout leader for the years his son was a Scout.
Pete was an avid sportsman and sports fan. He played catcher for the Osseo City baseball teams before and after the war. Pete played golf regularly, even playing three times a week at 95. During the 60’s and 70’s he bowled for Osseo Refrigeration, taking several fun trips with his friends to national bowling tournaments. Pete was a devoted fan of the Chicago Cubs, but also avidly followed the Milwaukee Brewers, Green Bay Packers and University of Wisconsin teams.
Pete is survived by his wife of 68 years, Edith, son Peter (Elaine Priester) of Fair Oaks, Calif., daughter Caryn Ireland of HI/MN/CA, two granddaughters: Kirsten (Garrett) Macklin and Lily (David) Knecht of southern California, and a great-granddaughter, Claire Macklin. He is also survived by his sister Harriet Instefjord of Verona, Wis., sister-in-law Toy Oftedahl of Sugarland, Texas, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his three brothers Adolph, Reidar and Melvin, and his son-in-law Tom Ireland.

Visitation is scheduled for 4 PM to 7 PM, Friday, April 8, 2016 at the Scheifelbein Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at the Osseo Evangelical Lutheran Church Saturday, April 9, at 11 AM. Private interment.

The family requests memorials be directed to the Osseo Evangelical Lutheran Church, the Osseo Golf Club or the Osseo Fairchild Music Department.