Ramon “Ray” Osthus, 86
Ramon “Ray” Osthus, 86, of Ankeny, IA, formerly of Marshalltown, IA, passed away Friday, September 8, 2023, at Sunny View Care Center in Ankeny. A Celebration of Life will be held at 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 4, 2023, in the chapel of Anderson Funeral Homes in Marshalltown. Immediately following the celebration of life, family and friends are invited to stay and enjoy dinner, raise a glass, and share stories & memories 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you donate to the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be sent to www.andersonfhs.com.
Ray was born May 4, 1937, to Alfred and Florence (Holck) Osthus in Hartley, Iowa. He graduated from Iowa Falls High School in 1955. He continued his education at Ellsworth College and graduated in 1957. He then attended Wisconsin Institute of Mortuary Science and graduated in 1958. He also served his country in the Army National Guard for 10 years.
During his professional life he wore many hats; he was employed by Pfizer from 1964 to 1971 as a pharmaceutical representative. He became owner and director of a private funeral home in Clear Lake, Iowa in 1971 and performed in this role for 2 years. He then became co-owner and partner at Triad Real Estate Services in Clear Lake in late 1973. By 1980, his journey had taken him to Marshalltown, Iowa where he continued his real estate career with Triad Real Estate. He served as President of the Iowa Association of Realtors 1989-1990. And he was especially proud of his involvement in the development of the real estate education program at the University of Northern Iowa. He spent over 30 years in the real estate business and was always so grateful for the many friends he made along the way.
Time spent with his adult children and grandchildren was treasured; countless soccer games, dance recitals, hockey games, holidays, birthdays…all precious moments to him, his children & grandchildren. One of the most memorable was a family trip to Norway in 2004. He was proud of his Norwegian heritage and spent years exploring his genealogy. The opportunity to visit was a dream come true. In his younger years, he enjoyed water-skiing, snow-skiing and boating, which later gave way to endless rounds of golf. Ray eventually became a snowbird, trading the snowy cornfields of Iowa for the warm sunny golf courses of southwest Florida, all the while staying active and surrounded by family and friends.
Ray is survived by his two children; Kristine (John) Wazio, Jr., Batavia, IL., David (Shelli) Osthus, Urbandale, IA., five grandchildren; Lauren and Matthew Wazio, Grace, Emma and Parker Osthus, four siblings; Donetta (Tobe) Frerichs, Janice (Tom) Kaplan, Sharon Osthus and Ron (Lora) Osthus, as well as many nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents.