Linus Joseph Ostdiek was born at home in Lawrence, Nebraska in 1931. The rural doctor who made the house call boldly declared his birthday to be March 15, 1931, but his mother swore otherwise. So, Joe traditionally celebrated both March 14 and March 15, having celebrated 186 birthdays by the time he died on July 25, 2024.
He grew up in Lawrence, Nebraska, assisting his parents, Hubert and Louise Ostdiek, in the running of the Lawrence Locomotive newspaper (and eventually other local papers.) His ability to run a Linotype, printing presses and read type upside down and backwards – not to mention his meticulous grammar - would serve him well in later years.
The third of 13 children, he spent a fair portion of his childhood playing pranks on his younger siblings and dodging their slings and arrows (and not-so-successfully dodging the occasional hammer blow). He graduated from Lawrence High School in 1949, where he played on the football team, participated in drama (including a key role in the senior play), and delivered an "American Dream" speech at the graduation ceremony.
He went on to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he lived in the "Little House" with several of his brothers, managing to escape with a bachelor of science from the Business Administration College in 1954. He studied law for a year but thought better of it and became a certified public accountant in 1955, which landed him a job with Arthur Young and Co. (predecessor to Ernst and Young). After a few successful years, he was hired away by Brunswick Corporation where he spent more than 35 years.
Throughout his long and stored career with Brunswick, he was admired and well thought of at every turn. Joe served in various roles including Controller, various VP roles and CFO of Mercury Marine. His career took him to Chicago, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Seattle and Indiana. In all, he spent time at nearly every Brunswick plant or office in the United States and moved nearly 20 times as he was called upon to assist in various divisions. He was eventually tasked with overseeing financial operation for all of the company's international affiliates and divisions including working extended stints in Switzerland, Belgium, Japan, Australia, Mexico and various countries in Asia, Central America, and South America.
Linus met his wife, Helen (a theoretical mathematician and computer programmer), at Mercury Marine in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, where they were married on April 23, 1973, and had two daughters, Alice, born in 1973 and Nancy born in 1975. The family later moved to the Chicago area. In retirement, Joe and Helen moved to Olathe, Kansas, then to Georgetown, Texas, and finally, back to Lincoln, Nebraska. Joe and Helen have three granddaughters: Juliana (Jana), born in 2007, Katelyn (Katie), born in 2011 and Samantha (Izzy) born in 2011.
Joe was an avid Husker fan – particularly the football and volleyball teams. One of his favorite pastimes was playing bridge with Helen and friends. He became skilled at bridge including playing casually and more competitively over the years.
Joe was the epitome of keeping your head down, working hard, and being grateful for what is provided. He took nothing for granted and was fiercely loyal and loved Helen, his daughters, granddaughters, and the rest of his large family. Joe was a shining and repudiated example of how to be a good person and live a humble, yet impactful life.
Mr. Ostdiek taught his children to be patient, methodical and to have a sense of honor. Though he might say little, he was always quick with just the right comment to make the crowd erupt in laughter or drop into contemplation, as the occasion required. His intelligence shown through to the end, when he did say something, you would miss out on a lot if you didn't listen.
Joe was a member of the Knights of Columbus his entire life and his faith played an important role in all he did. His devotion to God was evident in the way he displayed his values and morals and treated everyone with the utmost respect. Joe lived a full and robust life in the image of God and strived to ensure he took care of his family and earned his place in heaven.
Services for Linus Ostdiek included a Rosary service on July 30, 2024, and funeral Mass on July 31 at St. Cecilia's Catholic Church in Hastings.
Officiating at the services was Father Prageeth Chamara. Assisting were: Timothy Bradley and Mark Ostdiek, nephews as ushers; special music by Kate Sullivan, niece, and Richard Sullivan, brother-in-law. Readings were by Teresa Hutmacher and Linda Rafert, nieces; Responsorial Psalm led by Ann Goetz, a niece. Acolyte for the service was Ryan Kavan, nephew.
Pallbearers were: Dustin Hutmacher, nephew; Daniel Johnson, son-in-law; Nancy Johnson, daughter; Juliana Johnson and Katelyn Johnson, both grand-daughters, and Alice Ostdiek, daughter.
Interment was in Sacred Heart Cemetery east of Lawrence, followed by lunch at the American Legion Hall in Lawrence.
Reader Comments(0)