Allen K. Osness, Sr., age 73, of Merrill, died Saturday, November 19, 2011, at Good Samaritan Health Center, Merrill.
Al was born February 19, 1938, in Merrill, son of the late Oscar and Lucinda (Kroeplin) Osness, Sr. He married Carol J. Zortman on March 8, 1956, in Merrill. She survives. Al was a member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Merrill. He had worked at the former Murray Machinery, Wausau, for 20 years. He was currently employed at Greenheck Fan Corporation, Schofield, for the last 23 years. Al enjoyed watching Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers, and Wisconsin Badger games. He also enjoyed his pets, listening to country music, traveling and taking vacations, working on his lawn, playing softball, and deer hunting in his earlier years. He especially enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Al will be remembered for his great sense of humor.
Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Carol J. Osness, of Merrill; one daughter, Sue (Dale) Lemon, of Tomahawk; two sons, Allen (Julie) Osness, Jr., and Gary (Bonnie) Osness, both of Merrill; ten grandchildren, Lisa (Rich Bridenhagen) Lemon, of Green Bay, Laura (Jason) Reinders, of Emmetsburg, IA, Lana (Bill) Plant, of Elkhorn, WI, Leah (David) Reist, of Merrill, Lacy (Jeremy) Zimmerman, of Decatur, IL, Mike (Emily Esslinger) Osness, of Wausau, Tim (Sarah Wisniewski) Osness, of Merrill, Dan (Courtney Diehls) Osness, of Merrill, Justin Osness, of Merrill, and Ben Osness, of Truckee, CA; twelve great-grandchildren, Bailey, Billy, Jack and Christian Plant, Lucas Reist, Cole and Jesse Osness, Miranda Osness, Andrew and Hannah Bridenhagen, Jayden Woller, and Cayden Diehls; one great-grandchild “on the way”; five sisters, Virginia Severt, Betty (Walter) Latzig, Elayne (Richard) Ollmann, Phyllis (Ralph) Buch, all of Merrill, and Janet Beyer-Thums, of Plover; one brother, Raymond (Darlene) Osness, of Port Washington; two sisters-in-law, Carol Osness and Faye Jean Osness, both of Merrill; and one aunt, Marion Osness, of Antigo. Al was preceded in death by one sister, Linda Osness; five brothers, Harry, Ervin ‘Jack’, Oscar, Jr., Dale, and David Osness; two sisters-in-law, Merrill Osness, and Betty Osness; and one brother-in-law, Matt Severt.
A memorial service for Al will be held at 11:00 A.M. Monday, November 28, 2011, at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Merrill. The Rev. Maurice Schaus will officiate. The family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 A.M. Monday at the church. The Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill, is assisting the family with arrangements.
Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com