Osterhaus, Gene L.

Gene L. Osterhaus, 63, of Dyersville, died Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012. Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13, at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville where a vigil service will be held at 4 p.m. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Francis Xavier Basilica in Dyersville with burial in the church cemetery. The Rev. Noah Diehm will officiate.

Gene was born April 1, 1949, in Dubuque, Iowa, the son of Clarence “Clay” and Irene (Demmer) Osterhaus. He graduated from Beckman High School with the class of 1967. Gene worked as a local contractor/handyman for many years in Dyersville. He had a well rounded set of skills that covered construction, electrical and plumbing. He was able to build or fix most anything and had acquired many of the tools to do the jobs over the years. He was very generous with his talents and would help anyone who asked. He was also known as being able to tell a good story and always had a positive outlook and disposition. Having spent his boyhood on the farm, Gene had a love of agriculture, livestock and wildlife, which could be considered his only hobby. In recent years he hatched, raised and released Chucker Partridge and Bobwhite Quail, with the intention of raising and releasing other species of fowl.

Survivors include his children, Nick Osterhaus of Dyersville and Jenny (Steve) Nadermann of Williamsburg; grandchildren, Elijah Osterhaus, Megan Krapfl, Griffin Nadermann, one due in December and Shana Thein; one sister; six brothers, Joan (David) Kramer and Bill Osterhaus, both of Dyersville, Tom (Rosie) Osterhaus of Indianapolis, Ind., Allen (Ellie) Osterhaus of Merriam, Kan., Ron (Bonnie) Osterhaus of Wheatridge, Colo., Jim (Sue) Osterhaus of Guttenberg and Larry (Penny) Osterhaus of Jamberoo, NSW, Australia; several nieces and nephews; and many cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Online condolences may be left for the family at .

Published in The Gazette Nov. 10, 2012.