Harold L. Ossman, age 95, of Washington, Iowa died Sunday, February 3, 2019 at the Washington County Hospital following a sudden illness. Mass of the Resurrection will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, February 8, 2019 at the St. James Catholic Church with Fr. Bernie Weir officiating.
Calling hours will begin 3:00 p.m. Thursday, February 7, 2019 at the St. James Catholic Church where the family will be present to receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Interment with military honors will be held at Elm Grove Cemetery. A general memorial has been established. Online condolences may be sent for Harold’s family through the web at www.
jonesfh.com. Harold was born August 22, 1923 in Wellman, Iowa, the son of Otto and Cora (Wetrich) Ossman. He grew up in the Wellman and Kinross areas and graduated from Kinross High School in 1943.
Harold enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corp in 1943 to serve his country during WWII. He went on to be trained as a radio operator and served in the Pacific Theater on a B29. His base was in Guam until the end of WWII.
Harold knew the rank of Staff Sergeant and was honorably discharged in 1945. Soon after he returned to his hometown of Kinross, Harold met Ruthelma “Ruth” Woltering and they were united in marriage on June 28, 1947 in Keota, Iowa. Together, they farmed in rural Washington and were the parents of 6 children.
Harold loved being a farmer and continued to farm with his sons until just recently. He was so proud of his garden produce as well. After 60 years of marriage, Ruth passed away in 2007 and Harold maintained his own home in Washington until his death.
Harold was a member of St. James Catholic Church, the American Legion and Farm Bureau. He loved fishing and gardening. He always found someone to talk to and usually found someone that he knew or had a connection to someone he knew, even when traveling out of state.
Harold will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him, especially his children and grandchildren. Harold is survived by his children: Jim Ossman and wife Kathy of Washington, IA; Ed Ossman and wife Dee of Ainsworth, IA; Judy Howell and husband Ron of Coralville, IA; David Ossman and wife Sandy of Ainsworth, IA; and Doug Ossman and wife Renee of Riverside, IA; 15 grandchildren: Sean Figgins and wife Shiho of Centennial, CO; Angela Penniman and husband Tyler of St. Paul, MN; Julianne Ossman and husband Sam of Minneapolis, MN; Melissa Jensen and husband Ben of Cedar Rapids, IA; Kristina Giuliani and husband Francis of Iowa City, IA; Michelle Bartholomew and husband Scott of Washington, IA; Regina Ossman of Ainsworth, IA; Nathun Crist and wife Jenny of Ankeny, IA; Mandy Thompson of Marion, IA; Abby Gaskill and husband Luke of Minnetonka, MN; Anthony Ossman and wife Paiton of Washington, IA; Sonya Graber and husband Dustin of Ankeny, IA; Crystal Porter and husband Chris of Hiawatha, IA; Brandon Kaufman and wife Ashley of Des Moines, IA; and Blake Ossman of Washington, IA; and 26 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife in 2007; son, William “Bill” Ossman; grandson, Adam Crist; and sisters, Loretta Stoutner, Marjorie Hotchkiss and Dorothy Lyle.
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