Ralph G. "Pete" Oftedahl

Ralph G. “Pete” Oftedahl passed away April 5, 2016 at Dove Healthcare in Osseo after a brief illness. He was born December 24, 1919 to Lauritz and Mina (Myhre) Oftedahl in Osseo, Wisconsin. Pete graduated from Lincoln Hill High School in 1939 and continued his education at Luther College and Eau Claire Teacher’s College (UW Eau Claire). He entered military service during WWII January 1942 and served in the North Africa and Italian campaigns. At the conclusion of the European Campaign, his unit was being reassigned to the South Pacific when the Japanese surrendered. Pete was honorably discharged from the service September, 1945, after serving 33 months overseas.
Returning home he met and later married the love of his life, Edith Bratsven, on June 19, 1948 at the Osseo Lutheran Church. To this union two children were born - Peter in 1956 and Caryn in 1959. The family took many trips, including road trips to California, Montreal for Expo ‘67, Washington DC, New York City and Mount Rushmore.
Pete worked for the U.S. Postal service for 38 years, the last 25 as a rural carrier. He retired in 1984. He was a member of the National Rural Carriers Association. After retirement he was a substitute school bus driver for the Osseo-Fairchild School District, and especially enjoyed the years driving special education students.
Pete was a lifetime member of the Osseo Evangelical Lutheran Church, and served a term as President. He was also a 55 year member of the Osseo Masonic Lodge No. 213 F&AM. He served serving as Past Master and longtime lodge Secretary, and was a 32nd degree Mason of the Eau Claire Consistory. Last year he received a Certificate of Continuous Membership recognizing his 70 years as a member of American Legion Post 324. He was a lifetime member of the Osseo Golf Club. He served as a Trempealeau County Jury Commissioner for 10 years. Pete was interested in scouting and served as Cubmaster and assistant Boy Scout leader for the years his son was a scout.
Pete was an avid sportsman and sports fan. He played catcher for the Osseo City baseball teams before and after the war. Pete played golf regularly, even playing three times a week at age 95. During the 60’s and 70’s he bowled for Osseo Refrigeration, taking several fun trips with his friends to national bowling tournaments. Pete was a devoted fan of the Chicago Cubs, but also avidly followed the Milwaukee Brewers, Green Bay Packers and University of Wisconsin teams.
Pete is survived by his wife of 68 years, Edith, son Peter (Elaine Priester) of Fair Oaks, CA, daughter Caryn Ireland of HI/MN/CA, two granddaughters Kirsten (Garrett) Macklin and Lily (David) Knecht of southern California and a great-granddaughter, Claire Macklin. He is also survived by his sister Harriet Instefjord of Verona, WI, sister-in-law Toy Oftedahl of Sugarland, TX and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his three brothers Adolph, Reidar and Melvin, and his son-in-law Tom Ireland.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., Saturday, April 9, at Osseo Evangelical Lutheran Church in Osseo with Rev. Tom Brian officiating.
Friends called from 4-7 p.m., Friday at Schiefelbein Funeral Home in Osseo. Friends also called from 10 a.m. until the time of services at the church on Saturday.
The family requests memorials be directed to either the Osseo Evangelical Lutheran Church, the Osseo Golf Club or the Osseo Fairchild Music Department.