Obituary of Eugene Edward Osborn

Eugene "Gene" Edward Osborn, 86, Yankton, SD was called to his Heavenly Home on Tuesday, August 18, 2015 at Avera Sister James Care Center. Visitation will be Thursday, August 20, 2015 from 5:00-7:00 pm at Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home with a prayer service at 7 p.m. with Rev. Steven A. Weispfenning officiating. Visitation will continue one hour before services at the church. Funeral services will be Friday, August 21, 2015 at 10:30am at St. John's Lutheran Church with the Rev. David E. Gunderson officiating. Burial will follow at the Yankton Cemetery with military honors by the Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post #791, Yankton, American Legion Riders Post #249 of Bloomfield, NE, and the SD Army National Guard, Sioux Falls, SD. Gene was born April 27, 1929 to Warren E. and Ella (nee Krause) Osborn in Yankton, SD. At age 17, Gene lied about his age so he could enlist in the Army and serve his country. He served during the clean-up of World War II and then, in 1951, he was called back to fight in the Korean conflict. Gene was a long-time member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #791 in Yankton, where he served for many years in the honor guard. Gene married the love of his life, Hedwig "Hattie" Wollmann on September 10, 1948. They were happily married for almost 57 years before Hattie was called to her heavenly home. To this union two children were born, Paulette Jean in 1950 and Ernest Warren in 1961. He was baptized into the Christian faith on July 1, 1929, and confirmed into the Lutheran Faith on October 22, 1950. Gene was a long-time member of St. John's Lutheran Church of Yankton, where he served as an Elder and Head Usher. Gene was a salesman most of his life, starting out as a carrier for the Yankton Daily Press and Dakotan. He worked in the meat department of Council Oaks until 1955, when he went to work for Cimpl Packing Company of Yankton until retirement in 1991. He also worked for a few years in retirement in the meat department of the local HyVee store. Gene was a very loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. His joy was spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He not only taught his children hunt and fish, he and Hattie also taught all of their grandchildren to fish as well. Some of his fondest memories were his fishing trips with his grandchildren. Gene was always willing to do anything he could to help family, friends and neighbors in their time of need. During the Rapid City flood of 1972, Gene solicited food donations from around Yankton and accompanied by his wife Hattie, delivered those donations personally to those families affected by the flood. He is survived by his daughter, Paulette (Gary) Gross of Yankton; son, Ernest (Deborah) Osborn of San Diego, CA; five grandchildren, Bobbie Gross of Hugo, MN, Pauline Sumption of Rapid City, SD, Jeremy (Amber) Gross of White Bear Lake, MN, Kristopher (Sandra) Osborn of San Diego, CA, Jonathan Osborn of San Diego, CA; six great grandchildren, Tanner, Zachary, Taite and Makeda Sumption, Olivia Gross and Nathan Gross; brothers, Frank (Mary Ann) and Larry (Kathryn) Osborn both of Yankton, SD; sister, Dolores (John "Jack") Lefler of Rapid City; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; beloved wife, Hattie (nee Wollmann), brothers, Art and Warren Jr., and sisters, Anna, Elsie, and Sharon. Gene's family wishes for all memorials to be directed to: St. John's Lutheran Preschool, 1009 Jackson, Yankton, SD 57078.