Oscar Deiss

Oscar Deiss, 94, resident of the Lakewood Health Care Center in Staples and formerly of Verndale and South Dakota, died January 21, 2017.

Memorial services will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017 at St. John Lutheran Church in Wadena with Pastor Stephen Meltzer presiding. Visitation will be held from 4:30 p.m. until the time of services at the church.

Arrangements are with the Schuller Family Funeral Homes, Wadena.

Oscar was born Nov. 2, 1922, to George and Paulina (Stoebner) Deiss, in Tripp, SD. He was baptized into his Christian faith on Dec. 17, 1922. He attended rural school through the eighth grade. He farmed with his father and brothers until entering the U.S. Navy on Jan. 19, 1945. He served on the USS Culebra Island reaching the rank of Seaman First Class. Upon his discharge, in 1946, Oscar returned to Reliance, SD to continue ranching. He married Phyllis Irene Cross on Feb. 16, 1949 in Fort Pierre, SD. In 1976, they moved to Verndale where Oscar actively farmed until 2000 when they moved into Wadena. Oscar loved  animals, enjoyed his registered quarter horses, spending time in the out of doors, gardening, fishing and pheasant hunting. Oscar and Phyllis were longtime members of the Wadena Whirlaways Square Dance Club. Oscar was a member of the VFW Post #3922 in Wadena and the Legion Post #0179 of Kennebec, SD. 

He is survived by two daughters, Karen (Kenneth) Carpenter of Verndale, Cathy (James) Christensen of Rochester and one son, George (Julie) Deiss of Wadena; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren and two great-great- grandchildren.

Oscar was preceded in death by his wife; parents; three sisters, Martha Rank, Madalina Peters and Rosie Peterson; three brothers, Robert, Herbert and Edwin Deiss. 

Memorials may be directed to the Minnesota-North Dakota Chapter Alzheimers (Alz.orgmnnd).

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