In Memory of Harold “Lloyd” Oosterhuis

Harold “Lloyd” Oosterhuis, age 86, of Cambridge died May 31, 2016 at home.  A memorial visitation will be held from 4:00 – 7:00 P.M. Friday, June 3rd at Strike Funeral Home – Cambridge Chapel.  A memorial service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, June 4th at Common Ground – A United Methodist Community, 404 Cypress St. N., Cambridge, with a visitation also one hour prior to the service at the church.

 

Harold “Lloyd” Oosterhuis, son of Rudolph and Catherine Oosterhuis, was born on September 14, 1929 in Sheldon, Iowa. He lived on the family farm in Hoopers, Iowa until the age of two, when the family moved to a farm northeast of Ogilvie, Minnesota, where he attended school.

He loved living on the farm and eagerly helped milk the cows each morning and night, as well as the other chores. He had a pet pony that provided hours of entertainment, and later on a mule he would ride.

As a teenager he worked in the grain fields of North Dakota and South Dakota. Due to his father’s illness he returned home to take over the family farm. In 1947 he enlisted in the Army and served one year. Upon returning home he worked at a small welding company in Mora, Minnesota where he worked for three years.

On October 8, 1950 he married Iona Mart and later became the proud father of three children, Connie, Lori, and Brad. They rented a house west of Mora for one year and in 1952 moved to a small farm in Quamba. He worked in artificial breeding around the Milaca area where he and his family lived for five years until transferring to the Lindstrom area. Upon moving to Orlando, Florida two years later, he began work at the Martin aeronautics plant. He and his family moved back to Minnesota not long after when he began work for the American Breeders Association.
He drove a semi­-trailer truck for most of his career­­–20 years for Land­-O­-Lakes, and retired at the age of 60.

Throughout his life he enjoyed fishing and deer hunting. The family owned 40 acres of land near Giese where he and his son hunted together for several years. Many summer weekends were spent camping throughout Minnesota.

After retiring, Lloyd and Iona sold their farm east of Mora and moved to a lake home near Isle.
Of their 10 years there many hours were spent boating and fishing. During this time they took many trips all over the world including Holland, Jamaica, Hawaii, Australia, Alaska and Canada. They also saw many parts of the U.S. in their motor home.

After spending winters in Florida, Texas, and Arizona, they decided that Arizona was their favorite. They spent 22 years during the winter months in the Phoenix area. Lloyd enjoyed hiking in the desert mountains with his five buddies. He was also active at the community rock shop and made beautiful clocks, coaster sets, and jewelry.

In 2004, Lloyd and Iona moved from Isle to the Pine Village community of Cambridge. Lloyd enjoyed volunteering at the Cambridge hospital for several years. He liked serving his community and visiting with the hospital staff and other volunteers.

Lloyd Oosterhuis passed away peacefully May 31, 2016 at home at the age of 86 years, 8 months and 17 days. Lloyd was preceded in death by his parents Rudolph and Catherine, brothers Frank and Jerry, sisters Theresa and Tina.

He is survived by his wife Iona of Cambridge, MN and daughters Connie of Milaca, MN and Lori of Independence, MO, son Brad (Beth) of Forest Lake, MN, grandchildren Chris (Alicia), Mandy (Long), Ryan (Amy), Jordan (Jessica), Dustin, Chelsea and Cole, great­ grandchildren Tyler, Arica, Lacey, Sierra, Julian, Anna, Luke, Dalton, Maddox, and Kaiden, as well as nieces, nephews and many friends.

Lloyd and Iona were neighborhood kids that loved each other as a couple, raised a wonderful family, worked together and shared 65 years of married life.