Gene T. Osterman, age 61, Sisseton, passed away Friday, September 1, 2023, at his home in rural Sisseton.
Funeral Services were Wednesday, September 6, at 2:00 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Sisseton with Rev. Josh Knudsen officiating. Music was provided by pianist Michelle Greseth.
Burial was in the Sisseton Cemetery. Military honors were provided by the Otto Quande Renville American Legion Post 50 of Sisseton and the Fort Sisseton VFW Post 3342. Honorary pallbearers were Dane Hansen, Brian Tisher, Todd Iverson, and Willie Bucklin. Active pallbearers were Tim Osterman, Vernon Kaufman, Kyle Wattam, Todd Block, Perry Dykstra, and Dale Oletzke.
Visitation was Tuesday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Eggers Funeral Home in Rosholt and continued Wednesday afternoon one hour prior to the funeral service at the church.
Gene Theodore Osterman was born in Pierre, SD, on May 28th, 1962, to Darwin and Mavis (Dalberg) Osterman. He was baptized at Bethel Lutheran church in 1963. Gene attended Sisseton schools and graduated in 1980. He was very active in wrestling, track and cross country and set high school records. Upon graduation he served in the SD National Guard for 12 years.
Gene met the love of his life, Nicole Fenez, in 2005 and knew right away that she was going to be his wife. They were married shortly after in October 2006 at Belle Fourche, SD, and lived together on Gene’s family ranch. From this union, Gene’s family grew, and he made many Canadian friends. Gene loved having his new friends and family at the ranch to ride horses, hunt for gophers and go dancing at the casino. He would always say, “You Canadians are really good people.”
Gene was a wonderful Grampa. Having the grandkids at the ranch brought him so much joy. He always had time to ride down the horses before they rode, taking them out for 4-wheeler rides in the pasture and sharing all of his knowledge and safety rules. He was self-proclaimed Grampa Genius and the name stuck.
Gene was born and raised on the family farm and lived there for his entire life. He called it God’s Country. He was a hardworking man, and worked tirelessly every day, no matter the weather. The ranch and cattle were his whole world. They say if you love your job, you will never work a day in your life and that was true for Gene.
In his spare time, Gene enjoyed watching wildlife and the thrill of hunting. He was a true cowboy, loved to ride horses and enjoyed team roping. He was an avid Facebooker and a big fan of the Minnesota Vikings. Gene always stopped to admire the wildflowers and loved to watch things grow.
Gene passed away at his home with his wife by his side on September 1st, 2023, after a short and very courageous battle with cancer. He never gave up hope. He didn’t want anyone to think he was a quitter. Gene will be deeply missed by his family and friends and everyone who had a chance to meet him. We find strength in knowing he will be reunited with all of his family and friends that went before him.
He is survived by his wife Nicole Fenez of Sisseton; stepsons Luke, Tanner (Danielle), Kyle (Samantha) and Chad (Sylvie) and Grampa Genius to eight beautiful grandchildren, all of Manitoba, Canada. He is also survived by his parents, Darwin and Mavis Osterman of Sisseton; siblings Ronnie Flannery (Barb) of Watertown, Pam Dykstra (Perry) of Sisseton, and Cindy Block (Todd) of Sisseton: seven nieces; and several great nieces and nephews.
Gene was preceded in death by his grandparents Hans and Mathilda Osterman and Ole and Alice Dalberg; brother-inlaw James George; and many cousins, aunts and uncles.
Gene always had a smile and a warm welcome; he had a kind heart and loved to visit with people. The Hanging O Cattle Ranch will feel empty without him. He was taken far too soon, but his spirit will wander the hilly pastures and his memory will live in our hearts forever.
