Obituary for Dorothy Rose Ostmeyer
Sooner than expected, but yet not unexpected, Dorothy Rose Ostmeyer entered the gates of heaven on Tuesday, October 1, 2019.
She was born in rural Sheridan Co. on February 9, 1934, the third of seven children, to John and Rose Rietcheck. Al (Barbara) Rietcheck, Elmer (Bernadine) Rietcheck, Carolyn (Paul) Gatschet, Phyllis (Ralph) Melenson, Vernon Rietcheck, and Sister-in-law Roberta Rietcheck. Welcoming her to heaven are her parents, her brother Bob and her good friend and sister-in-law Barb.
She went to school in rural Sheridan Co. and graduated from Hoxie High School in 1951. After graduation, she worked at the ASCS office in Colby as a receptionist and clerk for the local farmers. Later, she also worked for the Finney Co. Sheriff’s office and finally retired from St. Catherine's Hospital in 2003.
Dorothy received a call from her future husband, Kenneth from Oakley, to go to a dance in Atwood. He wanted to make sure he called her first, before his buddies. Then, the night of dance, he had to confess to her that the other boys could not secure dates, so it was just the two of them...so they went to the Hoxie vs Oakley basketball game, Kenny kept his mouth shut and let her cheer for her own alma mater. To this day, Kenny does not know how he got so lucky to have got such a good-looking girl. They were married on April 15, 1961 at St. Martins in Sequin, KS and finally settled in Garden City in 1964. They were blessed with 5 children. Steve (Toni), Grants, NM, Dennis (Maria) LaMesa, CA, Jolene (Joe Purcell) Holton, KS, Laura (Ron Galliher) Hutchinson, KS, Annette Duncan (Johnny Watie) Olsburg, KS.
Dorothy had a strong faith that she shared with all she met. She was a member of the Daughters of Isabella and St. Mary’s Altar Society. She made sure that all of her five children got to take turns leading a decade of the rosary on every car trip out of town. She was also an avid bowler. She never bowled a perfect game, but came close with 297, 298, and 299 on many occasions. Kenny and her played in bowling leagues with friends. She also played individually, qualifying for many state tournaments. Dorothy was fun to be around! She was a clever pitch partner - and we will just keep it at that! Dinners around the Ostmeyer table were long and jovial - she could tell some stories! And of course, usually ended with a homemade dessert. Dorothy was known for her baking, especially her famous pumpkin bread (the key was the added 1/4 teaspoon of cloves, ginger and allspice). There was always a stockpile in the freezer for when her kids and grandkids arrived.
Dorothy gave of her time and her talents. She sang in the church choir at St. Mary, and after her singing voice gave out, she was a lector and Eucharistic minister. Dorothy was self-sacrificing. She sewed new dresses every Easter and Christmas for her 3 daughters - rarely getting to hers, and occasionally falling asleep at the sewing machine. Because her grandmother was a rural midwife, she would drop everything to be with her own daughters when they had children of their own, helping in any way she could. Ken and Dorothy are blessed with 17 grandkids, Deborah, Ian, Amanda, Camille, Kenzie, Paloma, Shannon, Robyn, Kacie, Jordan, Keegan, Jeremiah, Kale, Lauren, Bella, Mattie and Katie. Four great grandkids; Kaylee, Alexander, Kenny, and Amelia.
Kenny and Dorothy shared 58 years, every night before bed, they said their prayers together. That eternal love will be reunited someday. She was an amazing wife, friend, and mother. She will be missed.
A Vigil Service and Rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, October 7, 2019 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Garden City. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 8, 2019 also at St. Mary Catholic Church with Fr. Jacob Schneider as Celebrant. Burial will follow at Valley View Cemetery in Garden City. Friends may call from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday and from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday all at Garnand Funeral Home of Garden City. Memorials contributions may be given to St. Mary’s School Endowment Fund in care of the Garnand Funeral home.
She was born in rural Sheridan Co. on February 9, 1934, the third of seven children, to John and Rose Rietcheck. Al (Barbara) Rietcheck, Elmer (Bernadine) Rietcheck, Carolyn (Paul) Gatschet, Phyllis (Ralph) Melenson, Vernon Rietcheck, and Sister-in-law Roberta Rietcheck. Welcoming her to heaven are her parents, her brother Bob and her good friend and sister-in-law Barb.
She went to school in rural Sheridan Co. and graduated from Hoxie High School in 1951. After graduation, she worked at the ASCS office in Colby as a receptionist and clerk for the local farmers. Later, she also worked for the Finney Co. Sheriff’s office and finally retired from St. Catherine's Hospital in 2003.
Dorothy received a call from her future husband, Kenneth from Oakley, to go to a dance in Atwood. He wanted to make sure he called her first, before his buddies. Then, the night of dance, he had to confess to her that the other boys could not secure dates, so it was just the two of them...so they went to the Hoxie vs Oakley basketball game, Kenny kept his mouth shut and let her cheer for her own alma mater. To this day, Kenny does not know how he got so lucky to have got such a good-looking girl. They were married on April 15, 1961 at St. Martins in Sequin, KS and finally settled in Garden City in 1964. They were blessed with 5 children. Steve (Toni), Grants, NM, Dennis (Maria) LaMesa, CA, Jolene (Joe Purcell) Holton, KS, Laura (Ron Galliher) Hutchinson, KS, Annette Duncan (Johnny Watie) Olsburg, KS.
Dorothy had a strong faith that she shared with all she met. She was a member of the Daughters of Isabella and St. Mary’s Altar Society. She made sure that all of her five children got to take turns leading a decade of the rosary on every car trip out of town. She was also an avid bowler. She never bowled a perfect game, but came close with 297, 298, and 299 on many occasions. Kenny and her played in bowling leagues with friends. She also played individually, qualifying for many state tournaments. Dorothy was fun to be around! She was a clever pitch partner - and we will just keep it at that! Dinners around the Ostmeyer table were long and jovial - she could tell some stories! And of course, usually ended with a homemade dessert. Dorothy was known for her baking, especially her famous pumpkin bread (the key was the added 1/4 teaspoon of cloves, ginger and allspice). There was always a stockpile in the freezer for when her kids and grandkids arrived.
Dorothy gave of her time and her talents. She sang in the church choir at St. Mary, and after her singing voice gave out, she was a lector and Eucharistic minister. Dorothy was self-sacrificing. She sewed new dresses every Easter and Christmas for her 3 daughters - rarely getting to hers, and occasionally falling asleep at the sewing machine. Because her grandmother was a rural midwife, she would drop everything to be with her own daughters when they had children of their own, helping in any way she could. Ken and Dorothy are blessed with 17 grandkids, Deborah, Ian, Amanda, Camille, Kenzie, Paloma, Shannon, Robyn, Kacie, Jordan, Keegan, Jeremiah, Kale, Lauren, Bella, Mattie and Katie. Four great grandkids; Kaylee, Alexander, Kenny, and Amelia.
Kenny and Dorothy shared 58 years, every night before bed, they said their prayers together. That eternal love will be reunited someday. She was an amazing wife, friend, and mother. She will be missed.
A Vigil Service and Rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, October 7, 2019 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Garden City. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 8, 2019 also at St. Mary Catholic Church with Fr. Jacob Schneider as Celebrant. Burial will follow at Valley View Cemetery in Garden City. Friends may call from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday and from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday all at Garnand Funeral Home of Garden City. Memorials contributions may be given to St. Mary’s School Endowment Fund in care of the Garnand Funeral home.