John Junior Oatman

John Junior Oatman, age 86, of Storm Lake, Iowa died February 14, 2014 at the Newell Good Samaritan Society in Newell where he suffered from Alzheimer's disease. John (Junior) Oatman was born to John and Alma (Peckenschneider) Oatman on July 28, 1927, in Storm Lake. He was baptized on August 21, 1927, and confirmed on June 14, 1942, at St. John Lutheran Church. He graduated from Providence Consolidated School in Sulphur Springs in 1944 at age 16. He entered Iowa State as an engineering student, was in ROTC and played trombone in the marching band. He was drafted in WWII at age 18 and spent time in Fort Lewis, Washington, typing discharge papers for returning veterans. He returned to Iowa upon discharge and started farming with his father. He was a state officer in Rural Young People. He honed his bowling skills, winning several trophies at the local bowling alley, enjoyed piano bars, and took flying lessons. On September 26, 1959, he married Joann Hansen in Albert City, Iowa. He went back to school, earning a BA in secondary education from Buena Vista College and, later, an MA in science education from the University of North Dakota. He taught school in Marathon and Fonda for many years and continued to farm in the summers. Junior was a member of St. John Lutheran Church throughout his life. He served as church elder, chairman of the congregation, and he sang in the choir for almost 60 years. An active member of the community, he participated in community choirs and theater. He was a township clerk for several years and was a member of Amvets, holding several offices including Commander. After he retired, he volunteered at Northwest Iowa Aging Association, was a delegate to the Older Iowa Legislature, was a State Health Insurance Information Program representative, and twice received the State of Iowa Volunteer Award, once from Governor Branstad and later from Governor Vilsack. Junior loved music. Two of his favorite songs were "Edelweiss" and "Eagle's Wings." He enjoyed playing cards and made lasting friendships in doing so. He designed and built the house for his family in 1962, and resided there until 2007 when he and Joann moved into a condo in Storm Lake. Family vacations were important to Junior, especially trips to the Western U.S., Okoboji, one special trip to meet relatives in Germany, and to visit his children. He and Joann had four children, one of whom was deceased upon birth. He is survived by his wife Joann, their three daughters: Ann Kolanowski of Bedford, TX; Sue (Bill) Roberts of Minneapolis, MN; and Carrie (Jim) Macoskey of Cottage Grove, MN; grandchildren: Will, Lucy, and Eliza Roberts; Linnea and Ellen Kolanowski; Margaret Macoskey; sisters: Leila McDeid of Spencer, IA and Mardelle Brown of Onawa, IA; sisters-in-law: Pat Oatman of Corona, CA and Audrey Gutz of Storm Lake, IA; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Glenn and Virgil; his sister, Velma Redenbaugh; brothers-in-law: Vernon McDeid, Syril Brown, Harlan Gutz, and Norman Hansen.

John Junior Oatman

July 28, 1927 - February 14, 2014