Michael Eugene Osterbauer

Michael Eugene Osterbauer, 62, of DeGraff, MN, died on Tuesday, November 30, 2021, at his home. Visitation will be from 9:00 am to 11:00 am on Monday, December 13, 2021 at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in DeGraff, MN, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am. Interment will be at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church Cemetery in DeGraff, MN. Zniewski Funeral Home of Benson is assisting the family with the arrangements. www.zniewskifuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Harvest Heartland.

Michael Eugene Osterbauer was born on March 19, 1959 to Gerald and Vivian (Mellgren) Osterbauer.  Mike was the third child, and first son, born to Jerry and Viv.  Mike attended DeGraff Elementary and graduated from Benson High School. Mike was a lifelong farmer, having started driving tractor while Dad loaded hay, when he was 6 years old.  Mike could plant the straightest rows you ever saw.  He resisted technology, but as he grew older, he accepted a little help in the form of GPS for planting.  Mike participated in every aspect of field work. Even after his heart attack left it hard for him to get in and out of the tractor or combine, he found a way to do it.  Mike could be stubborn like that.

He was always a hard worker and he liked being busy.  Mike worked hard but he played hard too.  Mike loved adventures. Throughout his life, he enjoyed traveling with family, downhill skiing, hunting, snowmobiling, and riding his Harley Davidson. Mike’s other hobbies included cutting firewood and doing wood working.  Mike’s beautiful woodworking projects are greatly appreciated by those he gifted those projects to. He could dovetail a corner like a pro.  Mike had a great sense of humor and a warm laugh and smile.  As family all knows, his favorite food was probably lefse.

Mike is survived by his dad, Jerry Osterbauer; siblings Lauree (Gary) Gunderson, Maree Slaughter, Tony (Janeen) Osterbauer, and Nancy (Barb Bedrosian) Osterbauer; Nephews and nieces, Jeremiah Gunderson, Carrie ( Joe) Volek, and Jordan (Alicia) Gunderson; Russell and Jacob Slaughter, Mollee (David) Mielke, Emily (Justin) Craig; Meghan, Brandon and Madison Osterbauer; 1 great niece and 3 great nephews; special friend Beth Coolbroth as well as Missy and Josh Pillatzki. Mike was preceded in death by his Mother, Vivian Osterbauer, his brother in law, Steven Slaughter, and his grandparents Rudy and Ellen Osterbauer and Oscar and Lillian Mellgren. He will be missed.