Raymond Osterloo

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Obituary

Raymond Osterloo, 92, of Emery, SD, died Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at Firesteel Healthcare Center in Mitchell. Visitation will be Thursday, September 24, from 5-7:00 PM at St. Martin Parish Hall in Emery. Burial will be at St. Martin Catholic Cemetery. Arrangements by Bittner Funeral Chapel.

Raymond "Pops" Osterloo was born November 13, 1933, in Emery, SD, to Hans and Lillian (Christman) Osterloo. He grew up on a farm in the Emery, South Dakota area. He was a typical farm kid who grew up driving Farmall tractors.

In 1956, Ray was drafted into the United States Army, where he honorably served as a tank mechanic stationed in Korea until 1958. On November 17, 1962, he married Joan Schwans in Bridgewater, SD. After returning to the States, Ray started his farming career and worked until his retirement in 2002.

After retirement, Ray spent his time fixing engines. He spent countless hours repairing small engines and restoring tractors. Ray had a gift for fixing engines. He loved being in tractor parades and attending tractor shows.

Ray was deeply loved by his family and cherished by all who knew him. His kind, friendly nature meant he never met a stranger, making friends wherever he went. He will be truly missed.

He is survived by his children, Tim (Patti), Theresa (Mark) Bren, and Dawn (special friend Steve Uphoff) Janssen; sister, Rosanne Swyter; 13 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; and his nieces and nephews.

Ray was preceded in death by his wife, Joan; his parents; brother, Jim, and his wife Mary; brother-in-law, Merle Swyter; brother-in-law, Dale Schwans; Jerry and Margie Hofer; and nephew, Terrence Schwans.

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