Fr. John L. Ostdiek, O.F.M., a Franciscan friar, died at the age of 102, on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, at Manitowoc Health and Rehab Center in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. He was the oldest friar in the newly established Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe, with headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia.
He was born on Aug. 27, 1922, to Henry and Dora (Rempe) Ostdiek, the eldest of 10 siblings, at their home on the family farm, near Lawrence, Nebraska. At his baptism in St. Stephen Church, he was given the name of Norbert Francis Ostdiek. He attended St. Stephen's Grade School in Lawrence, and was inspired to join the Franciscans by his uncle, Br. Arthur Rempe, O.F.M. He went to high school and his first two years of college at St. Joseph's Franciscan Seminary in Westmont, Illinois.
Continuing to pursue a Franciscan vocation, Norbert entered the Franciscan novitiate in Teutopolis, Illinois, on Aug. 19, 1942, and was given the religious name of John Leonard. Following his temporary profession on Aug. 20, 1943, he continued his college studies at Our Lady of Angels Seminary in Cleveland, Ohio, with a major in philosophy. His graduate studies in theology were held at St. Joseph's Seminary in Teutopolis, Illinois from 1945 to 1949. His solemn profession was on Aug. 20, 1946, and his ordination to the priesthood was on June 24, 1949.
Destined for a lifetime of teaching, Fr. John completed a bachelor's of science degree in education from Quincy College and then taught biology for three years at the high school seminary in Westmont, Illinois. He pursued further studies in biology with undergraduate work at Creighton University in Omaha, and then his advanced studies at Catholic University in Washington, D.C., completing his doctorate in 1961. While in Washington, he was an auxiliary chaplain at Walter Reed Medical Center. With studies completed, he taught in the biology department at Quincy College in Quincy, Illinois for 20 years, from 1960 to 1980, reaching a full professorship. During his years at Quincy, he was part of a biological research project in Alaska and joined in several environmental research projects on the Mississippi River. After Quincy, he taught for three years at Mundelein College in Chicago, Illinois.
Besides his teaching career, Fr. John ministered in retreat and parish ministry, as a hospital chaplain, on ministerial and civic boards, in Illinois, Missouri, Indiana, Tennessee, Louisiana and Texas. A prolific writer, he was the author of more than 400 booklets, pamphlets and articles. He wrote several books, the most recent being Letters to Emma, inspired by meeting his great-great-grandniece, Emma, at an Ostdiek Jubilee Celebration. Fr. John was a Seniors Olympic bowler until he was in his early 90s, winning 36 medals over the years.
Fr. John retired in 2005 and spent the last 20 years residing at various friaries in Texas, Illinois, Missouri, and most recently at Blessed Giles Friary in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. During his short seven months in Manitowoc, he celebrated, with family and the friars, both his 75th anniversary of being a priest with a special Mass at the friary, as well as his 102nd birthday with an open house.
Fr. John was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Dora Ostdiek, and his siblings, Mildred Ostdiek Herz, Sr. Lenore Ostdiek, OSF, and Arthur Ostdiek. He is survived by his siblings, Anita Ostdiek Conway, Arnold Ostdiek, Fr. Gilbert Ostdiek, OFM, Francis Ostdiek, Jovita Ostdiek Schneider, and Clara Lou Ostdiek Bricher, along with many beloved nieces and nephews, and his Franciscan brothers in the Our Lady of Guadalupe Province.
The funeral for Fr. John will be held in Quincy, Illinois at the Quincy University chapel at a date yet to be determined.
In your kindness, please consider making a donation in memory of Fr. John L. Ostdiek, O.F.M., for the continued care of our retired Franciscan brothers and priests. Any donation would be greatly appreciated. Please send your charitable donation to: Franciscan Friars of Missouri for the benefit of Blessed Giles Friary, 3140 Meramec Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63118. Attn: Finance Office .
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