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Rick Ostertag
14 years ago

My dads story got sent before i had made corrections which would have been; Dads SISTERS Liz And Doris;; Outside in back;;To not litter;;Which was no easy task;;And cement work. BYE

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Rick Ostertag
14 years ago

I was so lucky to have two wonderful parents. I remember as a young boy, about 6 or 7, when I had a little accident at our blue house in Rosemount, MN. I was in a hurry to get a pair of jeans on without underwear when I caught my private part in the zipper “YEEOUCH!” I hobbled to my dad’s room; he looked at me in fright, probably from my horrible scream. He then jerked the zipper down and I felt instant relief. Thank you dad for saving my life. I never went without underwear again. Most of my memories of dad and mom were at the bar Knights Out in Thorp Wisc, I was about 10yrs old when we moved their. Dad took mom, Jerry, and I to check out the place. When we arrived dad, mom, and Jerry went to check out the living quarter, which was attached to the bar and I stayed in the bar and proceeded to shoot pool by myself. Dad came back out and said, “What do you think Rick should we buy this place and move here?” After about one second, I said, “Yes dad!” What 10 year old wouldn’t have? There was a pool table, jukebox, pinball and plenty of room to hangout. Dad and Paul moved first. It took awhile for the move to happen, which didn’t fair well with me, after all school was done for the year, my cousin Brian had moved away, and I was bored of Rosemount, and there was a pool table waiting for me. I drilled mom every weak, “YOU SAID WE WERE MOVING, SO WHY CANT WE GO?” Until one day, I found my mom crying and realized we were moving for real. What a life it was. My dad had a lot of different facial expressions and I understood every one Like when to back off on the pool table and let other people play, when to leave the bar area, when to do my jobs and ect. My favorite expression was when he was proud of you. Dad was proud of all us kids, not just me. It wasn’t all fun and games at Knights out Tavern. Dad always had jobs for Jerry and me to do after school and on weekends. One memory was waking up early on a Saturday morning ,we would open up the front door, turn the big fan on in the back dancehall and scrub and buff the bar floor. With the sunrise, the birds chirping and that fresh peppery air, it was truly special at that place. I remember one day coming home from school, the bar was empty. Sometimes it wasn’t a good thing when the bar was empty. I was about 14 or 15 years old, dad had a project for me. He said he wanted me to knock out a piece of concrete in the outside about three feet by three feet. Dad swung first. BAM BAM BAM. “Now that’s how I want you to do it”. I swung. BAM BAM BAM. “No Rick hit it like this”. BAM BAM BAM. I swung again. BAM BAM BAM. “RICK HIT IT”! BAM. By this time, I had tears in my eyes. I wanted that look of approval more than anything, so I let loose. BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM. Dad walked away with his head straight and tall with a very slight grin on his face. I got that look I wanted from dad. The neighbors were probably wandering how it could be thundering on a perfectly clear sunny afternoon. By the way, that piece of concrete ended up to be three feet thick. We had to trench around it and pull it out with the neighbor’s tractor, all for the new plumbing restoration. Dad and mom were a great team at the bar. They worked many many hours at the bar (many times 8am to 2am) Times seemed to be good in 1977, 78, and 79. The polka bands drew in big crowds. At Knight out Tavern, some nights we counted over 200 people. On two occasions, we counted over 300 people. Dad would hire extra help on those nights. For the most part, it was only Dad, Mom, Jerry and I. Jerry worked at a wood shop in Stanley for quite a while, so he was busy most of the time. Big John was always a gentle man behind the bar. If one of the locals would get out of hand after a few too many, Dad would calmly and gently escort him or her out. Sometimes either Jerry or I would even have to drive them home safely. Dad had a big heart for special needs people, people less fortunate, and kids. He would always hand out candy to the little ones. Dad and Mom really enjoyed company from family and friends from all over, especially Dad’s sister Liz, Marve and Dorris, and George Baker. Together they loved to play cribbage, cards, and have a few, especially George. (Fun Times) Dad and Mom were faithful Christians. We belonged to a very small and beautiful church in the country, St. Mary Czestajovick church. They taught me that if you truly believe in God, you will be saved. Dad cherished the quiet, praying, and meditating time in church and wanted less music. (Trust me on that one) Conservation and wildlife were very important to Dad. He believed in fair chase, and following the regulations of hunting and fishing. In addition, you should never litter. Dad was also a member of the city council, and drove a dump truck for a while. He was responsible for getting the road out to the bar black topped. (This was a difficult job) That black top road still ends at Meridian Drive and County Line Road, at Knight out Tavern’s building. The bar is no longer opened. A few stories of “BIG JOHN” at the bar: One quiet afternoon “BIG EARL” came in feeling pretty good, I could tell. He was a big guy that moved in up the road from the South States. He was about the same size as my dad, but about twenty-five years younger. He kept on at Big John to arm wrestle. After a while, my dad got sick and tired of listening to Big Earl. The bar was quiet, so Big Earl got his wish. I got to be the ref and count. On you mark, get set, POW! It was over in an instant. Big John had slammed Big Earl’s hand so hard on the bar that it sounded like a firecracker going off. Big Earl stood up holding his hand and with his southern accent said “Son of a b****.” I was about fifteen or sixteen I got my first experience in concrete work. A local had a basement he needed built. Dad I and karate were the crew. The homeowner recommended karate as an experienced good hand. I stacked blocks for dad while karate mixed mud. Well karate must of thought we were caught up so he proceeded to show me karate moves and began telling me what an expert he was. It wasn’t long before dads face got red and he told karate that the guys to watch out for are the guys that don’t say anything. NOW GET THE HECK OFF MY JOB. Now it was just dad and I. The next few days were hard for me. Dad told me to NEVER TALK BACK TO A BLOCKLAYER. That was the beginning. It took us 3weaks to finish. I survived and got that look of approval from dad. And I even got paid. Dad was always good about that. What a great experience that was. Another time I witnessed BIG JOHNS face get red was when two fellows came in the bar They were past there limit and using the f-word. The bar was quiet on a Saturday night, only two other older couples were at the bar having a quiet drink. Big john walked over to the fellows and said; Could you cut down on the language? A little while later more f-words. Big john again walked over to the fellows and said; I thought I told you to cut the language down? The fellow said; F-you Big john with red face calmly walked around the bar with hands in pockets, stood up to the fellow and said; What did you say? The fellow said; F-you. In an instant Big john with an open bare paw slapped the fellow alongside his head so hard the fellow made a complete flip. Three weeks later they came back apologized and all was forgiven. Some of my fondness memories of dad was after I had moved out. I used to come back to scrub and buff the floor and visit. Dad and I would have to run to town and according to dad’s vocabulary; Do Business; I called it B, P which meant Bank and Patronize. Dad truly loved people. He had many many friends. Those are the memories I will cherish forever. Mom I hope you weren’t too mad at dad and I for being so late those times. Also dad wouldn’t have been able to handle that bar without you mom. Dad I know your in heaven watching us. Thanks dad and mom for a great life in the boonies. Love you, Your son RICK. Joanie, What a cool web site for dad and Jerry. That showed You really do care about us. When we were younger we didn’t know what happened to you. We didn’t know if you were dead or alive until dad and mom finally got a hold of you. You were a great sister; Kind, I didn’t know you cared about us anymore I know you regret it. You were always loved by us though. We didn’t know what happened to our Joanie. Any way welcome back and congratulations on your marriage. I will call you soon. Love , RICK Andy O Thanks for the story you wrote and for being there always. I see a lot of my dad in you in more ways than one. Barney and Kay Thank you for the support you’ve shown to our family during our losses and for guiding Jerry closer to Jesus before he passed on. That meant a lot to our whole family. God bless. Shawn Mallard cool stories of grandpa and Jerry they thought the world of you. Please call me once in awhile. Your uncle Rick. Sharon great story, Love you too, RICK

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Coral
14 years ago

I remember "the bar" and the fact that I could not see over it, but if I was behind it with grandpa, he would let me have any of the candy he kept back there. Which I found out was a enough to make me sick. I love and miss you Grandpa.

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14 years ago

Here are some photos to show,I wish you would still be around to laugh with and share all these times with.You are so missed.Love you dad,and all!,Sharon

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14 years ago

One of many memories-I was 18,in the hospital fighting for my life.I had rheumatic fever.I was there for a long long time.My parents were only allowed to see me every other day for 10 minutes.When they did see me,they had to wear the gown,face mask,booties,etc. When they were visiting me one of those times,the doc came in, and took my parents in the other room. He told them my prognosis,which was not very promising.My mom cried,and dad told her before she saw me to freshen up,not to let me see her cry.He came in my room,took my hand,squeezed it and told me I had to fight this sickness.He needed me.Then out came those magic words every teen wants to hear:If you live,I will buy you your own red brand new car!!! Well guess what?Time passed,I made it,Igot out of the hospital.A while later,I went to dad and asked him if he remembered about my brand new red car he promised me.He said WHAT?You little sh-t!You remember that?All I wanted to tell him was I don't want that new car,cuz it wouldn't be fair to my siblings.All I wanted to know is if he would let me and Tom share his old work car once in a while.He would have got me that car,but it would have been a sacrifice in more ways then one.

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Andy Ostertag
14 years ago

Uncle John provided my Father Barney with the opportunity of a good job upon his arriving home after his stint in the Army in the late '50's. It's fact that EVERY member of my immediate family would be a different person if Uncle John hadn't opened that door for my Father.. Funny how one person touches so many lives throughout their life. What I remember, and stories I've heard, all relate to a man who worked hard, and played in that same fashion. Much like his younger brother. One beautiful memory that will always stand out for me was his daughter Sharon's wonderful eulogy at his funeral.. She called him ".. her hero.." and it was something I very much could and still can understand and relate to. I can only guess what that took to write, much less get up and recite it to a full church. But I thank you for that Sharon because it said to me much more than words about your father.

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Shawn
14 years ago

I used to spend every summer at the tavern helping out after the kids grew up and left. He always had time to take me fishing or looking for deer, he was a gentle giant, but if someone got drunk or out of hand in the tavern look out becouse my grandpa {BIG JOHN} was not someone to be messed with. Miss you grandpa.

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CupOfBlueJuice
15 years ago

Never Knew you grandpa... well dont remember but I loved you anyhow!

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Kat
15 years ago

you dad must of been some great guy .........thank u for ur comment on mine page i do wished i could of met john denver too i have seen his movies oh god and have the one on his life now i,m looking for the one called the day of the green horne with tommy tompkins

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Belladonna85254
15 years ago

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Belladonna85254
15 years ago

I REMEMBER ALL THE GREAT CHRISTMASES WE HAD WHEN I WAS VERY SMALL, I REMEMBER ALL OF THE SUMMER VACATIONS THAT MY DAD TOOK MY MOTHER, & MY SISTER, & BROTHERS ON, & ALL THE FUN THAT WE HAD SWIMMING, FISHING, & DOING OTHER THINGS. I REMEMBER HIM TAKING ALL OF US TO FAMILY GATHERINGS, & PICNICS, & ALL THE FUN WE HAD RUNNUNG AROUND & PLAYING, & THE GOOD FOOD THAT WE HAD TO EAT.

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Belladonna85254
15 years ago

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