Eldon Oster

Eldon P. Oster, 85, of Bellevue, Iowa, passed away peacefully in his sleep Wednesday morning, February 18, 2015 at his home in Bellevue, Iowa. A Funeral Service in Eldons honor will be held at 1:00 pm, Saturday, February 21 at Hachmann Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Bellevue. Friends and family may call from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm Saturday, also at the funeral home. Eldon was one of five children born to Jacob and Frances (Hingtgen) Oster on March 11, 1929, in Bellevue, Iowa. His siblings included: Ardell Oster, Gerald Oster, Algean (Grover) Park, Rosemary (Donald) Adrian-Morehead. Eldon (lovingly nicknamed Fat by his uncle) was born on a farm south of Bellevue. He attended a rural country school outside of Bellevue, which according to his story, was a 10 mile walk uphill in both directions! After his father passed away when he was 9, Eldon worked the family farm, along with his mother and siblings, throughout his school years. As a child, Eldon loved spending time with his friends and cousins. He enjoyed bike riding, playing ball, swimming, and anything involved with being outdoors. He was especially passionate about hunting and fishing as well as tinkering with anything mechanical. These interests and his love of time spent with family and friends continued throughout his adulthood and later evolved to include snowmobiling, riding motor cycles, playing cards in card clubs, bowling as a member of the Bellevue Bowling League, and attending tractor pulls. Eldons natural curiosity and mechanical skill for fixing things, especially cars and tractors, carried through into his adult years as well. He honed these skills and eventually his hard work, knowledge, and experience became his life profession, as a farm implement mechanic. Eldon served two years overseas as a member of the Army in the 34th general division hospital unit during the Korean War assigned to mechanical and officer transport duties. He was an active member of the American Legion, the local Lions Club, and St. Josephs Catholic church. Eldon met and married MaDonna (Hingtgen), daughter of Nick and Katheryn of LaMotte, Iowa in 1956. They had two children before Donna passed away prematurely; Sandy (Todd) Koppes of Bellevue, and Randy Oster, also of Bellevue. Eldon was a loving, devoted and compassionate husband, father and grandfather, with a huge heart and a quick wit who loved to tell a joke. His love of the outdoors was quickly transferred to his children as he devoted most of his free-time to them being both mother and father. Randy continues Eldons passion as an avid outdoorsman. Eldon adored his grandsons (Adam & Casey) and treasured the moments he was fortunate to share with them; never passing up the opportunity to share a witty comment. He also loved spending time with the family dog Harley cruising around town with her on his scooter. Eldon will be deeply missed by all those whose hearts he touched. His smile, bravery and determination through several of his personal physical adversities were an inspiration to all who knew him. Those left to honor his memory include children, Sandy (Todd) Koppes and Randy Oster, both of Bellevue; grandchildren, Adam Koppes (Amy Laug), of Des Moines and Casey Koppes, of Manhattan Beach, California; and a sister, Algean Park, Maquoketa. He was preceded in death by his wife, Madonna, his parents; two brothers Ardell and Gerald; and sister, Rosemary Morehead. In lieu of flowers an Eldon Oster Memorial Fund has been established. The Oster family would like to thank everyone for their kind gestures and caring thoughts through the years.Reception:American Legion111 Market StreetBellevue, IA 52031