Earl Carl Ossenkop was born February 15, 1916, the son of Walter and Henrietta (Strathmann) Ossenkop. He died Friday, May 20, 2011, at the Crawford County Memorial Hospital in Denison, Iowa, at the age of ninety-five.

Earl was born in Manning, Iowa. He was baptized in Christ on December 12, 1925, at Zion Lutheran Church in Manning and later confirmed there in April 1932. He received his education in Hayes Township School and the Manning High School. After completing his education, he began farming.

On October 8, 1940, Earl was united in marriage to Emaline Thiede at St. John Lutheran Church in Stockholm Township. The couple made their home on a farm near Westside and were blessed with the birth of four children. They farmed for nearly forty years in the Westside, Denison and Charter Oak area, before retiring to Denison. While farming, Earl also worked at IBP for fifteen years.

Earl was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He enjoyed socializing at dances and a game of cards and always enjoyed talking about farming. In his leisure time, he enjoyed watching baseball games, going to the fair, and walking outdoors, up to three miles a day. He was a faithful member of Zion Lutheran Church in Denison. He was active in the Golden Kiwanis, community activities, and the Schuetzen Verein "Hayes Township King Shoot."

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Emaline on April 24, 2011; one daughter, Jane; one brother, Vernon; and one sister, Marion. Survivors include two daughters, Judy and her husband, Merle of Westside; Connie and her husband, Dale; one son, Curtis and his wife, Denise; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; one sister, Louise; other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 A.M., Tuesday, May 24, 2011, at Zion Lutheran Church in Denison, Iowa. Rev. Kurt Kaiser and Rev. David Sewing officiated the service and graveside rites held at Crawford Heights Memory Gardens in Denison. Organist Karen Kahl provided accompaniment for congregational hymns, "How Great Thou Art," and "Beautiful Savior," and for Eldon Hardekopf as he sang "The Lord's Prayer." Honorary pallbearers were Sheri Grothe, Lori Oeser, and Joni Wilken. Serving as pallbearers were Andrew Ossenkop, Jason Ossenkop, Matthew Wilken, Michael Wilken, Marty Wilken, Joe Grothe, and Gregg Oeser. The family invited everyone to return to the church for fellowship and lunch served by the Ladies Aid. The Huebner Funeral Home in Denison was in charge of arrangements.