Richard “Dick” Fredrick Oswald, age 87, of Coon Rapids, IA, passed away on Sunday, June 2, 2024 at Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, NE, surrounded by his family.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, June 7, 2024 at Annunciation Catholic Church in Coon Rapids. Lector for the Mass will be Jim Heithoff. Music of for the Mass will be by the Annunciation Choir and Diane Slater as organist. Gift bearers will be Elicia Van Zelderen, Marissa Oswald, Amanda Nees, Allison Oswald, and Ella Grossman. Mass servers will be Ben Heithoff and Blake Heydon. The casket bearers will be Cory Oswald, Justin Oswald, Adam Esdohr, Alex Oswald, Tanner Oswald, and Landen Grossman. Honorary casket bearers will be Tom Meiners, Keith Dorpinghaus, Dick Hart, Kenny Hoffman, John Nielson, Gary Johnston, and Tom Seidl. Burial will be in the Union Twp Cemetery
Visitation will be held at Annunciation Catholic Church from 5 – 7 P.M. where there will be a Christian Wake Service held at 7 P.M. followed by a Rosary on Thursday, June 6th. An additional visitation will be held at Annunciation Church from 9:30 A.M. – 10:15 A.M. on Friday prior to the Funeral Mass.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Coon Rapids and online condolences may be left for the family at www.dahnandwoodhouse.com
Richard Fredrick Oswald was born February 18, 1937, the youngest child of Henry and Laura (Grote) Oswald of Willey. He was baptized in St. Mary’s Catholic Church and attended the parochial school in Willey, finishing his education in Carroll. Dick took over the family farm when his father passed away when he was only 16 years old. On June 14, 1958, he married the love of his life, Emily Pudenz, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church and resided on the family farm northeast of Willey. In 1960 they moved to a farm northwest of Bayard and in 1973 made their final farming stop northwest of Coon Rapids until retiring in 2012.
Dick enjoyed fishing trips with his sons and sons-in-law, putting puzzles together with Emily, Saturday date nights, vacationing with friends and family, watching his children and grandchildren’s sporting events and school activities, cheering on his Iowa Hawkeyes and watching the St. Louis Cardinals. He enjoyed playing cards with his kids and friends. But most of all, Dick loved to laugh! He enjoyed teasing those he loved, sharing family stories, and visiting with friends.
Dick was a lifelong farmer while Emily was a homemaker when the children were young. In his retirement years, Dick was head of public relations for Hardware Hank and was a trustee for several cemeteries in Union Township. Dick was a member of the Annunciation Catholic Church and the Annunciation Parish Men’s Club and was a Lifetime CRB – FFA Alumni Member.
The Catholic faith was the cornerstone of Dick’s life and guided all his actions and decisions. His commitment to his church and family was evident in everything he did. Dick’s legacy of faith, kindness, and devotion will continue to inspire his family and all who knew him.
Left to cherish his memory is his wife Emily of 66 years and their seven children: Marty Oswald (Pat) of Boone, Mike Oswald (Judy) Coon Rapids, Robyn Esdohr (Duane) Coon Rapids, Scott Oswald (Cathy) Webster City, Brenda Heithoff (Jim) Coon Rapids, Kathy Grossman (Mike) Adel, Nick Oswald (Angela) Coon Rapids. They have 21 grandchildren: Adam Esdohr (Nikki), Justin Oswald (Christina), Elicia Van Zelderen (Kevin), Amanda Nees, Cory Oswald (Kristin), Kyler Oswald (Emily), Heidi Lensch (TJ), Caleb Oswald, Alex Oswald (Rebecca), Collin Oswald, Marissa Oswald, Allison Oswald, Tanner Oswald, Ella Grossman, Hanna Grossman, Sydney Oswald, Wyatt Oswald, Caden Oswald, Landen Grossman, Ben Heithoff and Bryce Oswald and 15 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law Marlene Oswald of Adams, MN, Loretta Soyer of Carroll, Arlene Forseman of San Antonia TX, Joan Wittry of Carroll and Kate Engelen of Sioux City; and many other family members and good friends.
Dick was preceded in death by his parents Henry and Laura Oswald; sisters: Genevieve Nees, Angela Nees, Marie Bell, Agnes Louis, & Leona Seidl; brothers Eugene (in infancy), John, Walt and Andy Oswald; mother and father-in-law Dave and Clara Pudenz; his brothers-in-law; Leon Nees, Frank Nees, Max Bell, Bob Louis, John Seidl, Merle Imming, Anthony Soyer, Lavern Pudenz, Louis Foresman, Eugene Wittry, Bill Engelen; sisters-in-law Phyllis Oswald, Darlene Oswald, Iris Oswald, Delores Imming and Delores Pudenz.
