David Osterloh

David Osterloh, age 56, of Wilmot, SD, passed away on February 10, 2024, while on vacation in Ixtapa, Mexico.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, February 16, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Milbank, followed by an ice cream social in the church fellowship hall. Visitation will be held at the church on Thursday, February 15, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. A prayer vigil will be held at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church on Friday, one hour prior to the Mass. Burial will be at a later date.

Dave’s family suggests wearing casual attire, as Dave did not like to dress up! Flannels and Hawaiian shirts were his favorites.

The service will be livestreamed, recorded, and viewable at www.mundwilerfuneralhome.net.

Memorials may be given to the Wilmot Wolves Football Program, in care of the Wilmot High School.

All friends are invited to join the family at Sodak Shores, beginning at 6:30 p.m. for a celebration of life.

David Lynn Osterloh was born on November 2, 1967, in Cambridge, MN. He was the son of Gordon and Gladys (Madsen) Osterloh. Dave grew up in the Wilmot area and had perfect attendance at Wilmot School from Kindergarten through his senior year. He excelled at football, basketball and track and was proud to be a Wolf. He graduated with the Class of 1986. Many of Dave’s classmates and teammates remained life-long friends. While attending South Dakota State University, he was on a dairy judging team and won National awards. He graduated in 1990 with a degree in Dairy Manufacturing.

Dave was united in marriage with Sara Mohs on May 19, 1990, at Wilmot Lutheran Church. He began his career by working briefly for Tombstone Pizza in Medford, WI. He moved to Bridgeman Dairy in Thief River Falls, MN, where Dave and Sara were blessed with two sons: Austin and Brady. The family moved to Wilmot, SD, and operated Lancer’s Bar, and were blessed with their daughter, Kylie.  Dave and Sara purchased Sodak Shores on Big Stone Lake in 2001. A fire destroyed the supper club and their home in 2003. In the interim, Dave worked for Saputo Cheese and rebuilt the supper club in 2004. Dave was proud of providing a “first job” to many young people in the community and enjoyed watching them go on to be successful members of society. He expected dedication during their shift, but liked to relax and have fun after the work was done, often loading up the staff and cruising on the pontoon, lighting up the lake and listening to music. Dave was an assistant coach for the Wilmot Wolves football team from 2009-2012 and loved every minute of it.

Over the years, Dave became an early riser. Most mornings consisted of cutting meat (cutting nearly every steak served at Sodak), a slow drive with Nala while visiting with his dad and/or kids, and coffee on the deck at Sodak while enjoying the view. Dave was a host at heart. He loved visiting with customers, and friends, and was quick to seek out new faces. He loved to make people laugh, often at his own or Sara’s expense. Their banter was well known. Most enjoyed his sarcastic sense of humor that occasionally rode on the edge of inappropriate. Those that played pool, shopped, or traveled anywhere with him, knew by his mischievous smirk when you were about to embarrassed and/or get a good laugh. He was a bit of prankster and the most common show on his TV was “Impractical Jokers.”

Being a dad was his most important and rewarding job, and he hung out with his kids every chance he got. He thoroughly embraced his role as father-in-law, and they became part of his pack. Dave always loved kids and was sure to give them some extra attention and snacks. His nieces and nephews were particularly special. Becoming a grandpa when Hughes was born was a highlight of his life. When Grandpa put on his shoes or a coat, he could not leave the house without Hughes. A drive was on the agenda, looking at cows, watching the dog run, singing to the radio, and speaking their special language.

Dave enjoyed living and working on Big Stone Lake. He enjoyed fishing, boating, hunting, chasing cattle, raising chickens, and watching birds and other nature. He played pool on a team with his sons. He faithfully cheered for the Minnesota Twins and the Green Bay Packers. Dave and Sara enjoyed traveling and adventures with friends and family.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Sara of Wilmot, SD; three children: Austin (Sydney) Osterloh of Milbank, SD; Brady Osterloh of Wilmot, SD; and  Kylie (Jake) Wilson of Union, MO; one grandson, Hughes Osterloh; his father, Gordon Osterloh of Wilmot, SD; father-in-law and mother-in-law: Gary and Norie Mohs of Milbank, SD; brothers: Lee Osterloh of Wilmot, SD; Dan Osterloh of Wilmot, SD; Craig Osterloh of Marvin, SD; and Mark Osterloh of Mobridge, SD; sisters-in-law: Angie (Keith) Weber of Milbank, SD; and Kari Untalan of Milbank, SD;  nieces and nephews: Hank and Gretta Osterloh, Abby, Karson, and Garrett Weber, Raina, Keira, and Ivy Untalan.

Dave was preceded in death by his mother, Gladys; and niece, Grace Osterloh.