Lawrence C. Oestreich

Lawrence Oestreich, 84, Linn, died Monday, May 7, 2007, at the Linn Community Nursing Home. The funeral service was held at 2:30 p.m., Friday, May 11, at Zion Lutheran Church, Linn. Pastor David Gruoner officiated. The pallbearers were David Duitsman, Timothy Duitsman, Mark Duitsman, Rob Buzzi, Dean Herrs and Kent Herrs. The honorary pallbearers were Dick Oestreich, Lowell Hatesohl, Willard Hatesohl, Delmar Hatesohl, Delwin Bokelman and Jennifer Duitsman. Burial was in the church cemetery. Military rites were provided by the U.S. Marine Corps Honor Guard. Lawrence was born February 18, 1923, to Diedrich "Dick" and Anna (Hatesohl) Oestreich of rural Linn. He was baptized at home March 2, 1923 by Rev. Otto S. Mueller of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Greenleaf. He was confirmed April 5, 1936 at Bethlehem by Rev. Theo. Stolp. He graduated from Linn Rural High School. On September 8, 1943, he was inducted into the U.S. Marine Corps at Kansas City, MO, to serve for the duration of the National Emergency Pacific Theater, November 23, 1944 to May 9, 1946. Mortar crewman, rifle range instructor, infantry rifleman, advanced infantry training, Camp Pendleton, CA, action at Iwo Jima, Feb. 19 to Mar. 16, 1945. Served with the 5th Division U.S. Marine Corps as litrer bearer and upon orders from Lt. Col. Chandler W. Johnson, carried explosives to top of Mount Suribachi with the 28th marines until Mount Suribachi was secured. Transferred to 27th Marines with 81mm mortars, occupation of Japan Sept. 22, 1945 thru April 25, 1946. Good conduct medal, honorably discharged May 17, 1946. On August 18, 1944, he married Arlene Luehring at the Lutheran Service Center, San Diego, CA, by Rev. Edgar P Schmidt. They were blessed with two daughters, Linda and Kathy. After the service he farmed and then was a petroleum salesman for the area Coop. Later he sold investments for Farmland Sales. He was a member of the Wholmoor Legion where he served as Chaplain. Lawrence was also a member of Zion Lutheran Church, where he served as chairman, elder, treasurer, head usher and choir member. He also was Linn’s Santa Claus for many years. His parents; brother, Walter Oestreich; two sisters, Gertrude Bokelman and Hilda True; and son-in law, Joe Henson, preceded him in death. Survivors include his wife, Arlene; daughters, Linda Duitsman and husband, Don, Lincoln, NE, and Kathy Henson, Amelia Island, FL; four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, six step-great grandchildren and four step-great-great-grandchildren. Ward Funeral Home handled the arrangements. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Lawrence C. Oestreich, please visit our flower store.