Virgel Osland, 67

Virgel Osland, age 67 of Ottertail, MN died on July 20, 2009 at his home, surrounded by his family and under the care of Lakeland Hospice. Funeral services were held at 10:00 AM on Thursday July 23, 2009 at Zion Lutheran Church in Amor , MN with Pastor Dean Grier officiating. Music at Amor was provided by LaVerne Nelson, organist, Linnea Hagemeister, pianist, with Bob Roberts, and Eryn Moser, vocalists. A second service was held at 10:30 AM on Friday July 24, 2009 at the English Lutheran Church in Walnut Grove, MN with Pastor John Folkerds officiating. Eugenie Davis was the organist and Joseph Schad, the pianist. Roberta Bakken was the vocalist, and a quartet, Mark Warner, Bruce Mathiason, Gordon Kopperud and Dan Warner sang.   Interment was in Walnut Grove. Arrangements were with the Belmont Funeral Home of Henning, MN.

Virgel Osland was bon on May 22, 1942 in Ann township, Cottonwood Count, Minnesota, the son of Carl and Martha (Warner) Osland. He was baptized at Highwater Lutheran Church in Lamberton, MN and was confirmed at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Walnut Grove, MN. He graduated from Walnut Grove High School in 1960. Virgel was united in marriage to Nancy Danielowski at Trinity Lutheran Church in Walnut Grove on November 18, 1961. They had three sons: Jon, Jim and Jeff. Virgel farmed in the Walnut Grove area for forty years. He served St. Olaf and English Lutheran Churches at various times as trustee, vice president and president.

Virgel enjoyed having friends over for coffee or meeting them at the elevator for conversation.  He found great satisfaction in operating farm equipment, observing the cycle of planting and harvest, and working in the fields with his son, Jon. He thoroughly enjoyed watching sports. His favorite teams to follow were the Vikings and Gopher teams. Virgel put many miles on the van traveling to watch his sons play in high school and college sports. He loved music; his favorite instrument was the player piano that he restored, and he loved a good polka. Fishing and spending time at the lake were true passions. Anyone was welcome in Virgel’s boat and the fishing was always good, even if the catching was slow. After retiring from farming, he enjoyed gardening, mowing, operating the skid loader, and helping his son in the cabinet business. He and his sons built their retirement home at Lake Buchanan.

A member of Zion Lutheran Church, Virgel was a man of quiet faith. He enjoyed spending time not only with his wife and children, but with his extended family as well.

Virgel is survived by his wife: Nancy; sons: Jon (Doreen) Osland, Walnut Grove, Jim (Holly) Osland, Richville, MN, and Jeff Osland, Richville; grandchildren: Danielle, Hailey, Austin, and Lydia; brother: Myron, Tracy, MN; sisters: Connie (Dan) Stiles, Sioux City, IA, Margie (Larry) Fisher, Tracy, Judy (John) Folkerds, Buffalo, MN, Twilia (Doug) Kletscher, Westbrook, MN; brothers-in-law: Charles (Cynthia) Hanebuth, Honolulu, HI, Peter (Diane) Hanebuth, Long Prairie, MN; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents.