Obituary of Deb Ostwinkle

HOPKINTON, IOWA

Deb Ostwinkle, 60, of Hopkinton passed away Tuesday, October 31^st at home after an 8-month battle with brain cancer.  Deb was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, and friend whose caring heart left a lasting impression on all who knew her.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 5^th from 3-7 pm at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville.  Visitation will continue at the funeral home from 9 – 10 am Monday.

The funeral mass will be held at 10:30 am on Monday, November 6^th at St. Francis Xavier Basilica in Dyersville, Iowa.  Burial will follow at St. Paul’s Cemetery in Worthington.  Rev. Chris Podhajsky will officiate.

Deb was born on August 27^th, 1963, in Monticello, Iowa, the daughter of Francis and Kathleen Sauerbry.  She graduated from Maquoketa Valley High School in 1981, and went on to obtain an Associate’s degree in marketing from NICC in 1983.  She married Dean Ostwinkle on September 15^th, 1984, and two daughters were born to this union.  Deb started her career with Home Interiors while operating an in-home bakery.  She went on to own her own Hallmark store on Monticello main street for 9 years, then continued her career with Hallmark for 20 years after selling her store until her retirement in 2023.  Deb was known for her servant heart.  She spent many hours volunteering at her children’s school, the Xavier parents association, Beckman high school band, and the St. Francis Xavier Parish. She also gathered many donations for local causes each year including Toys for the Needy in Dyersville at Christmastime, and the Clarity Clinic in Dubuque.  As her children grew older, she made it known that her children’s friends were always welcome in their home with some considering her their second mom.  In her free time, she enjoyed gardening, baking sugar cookies and cakes for loved ones, caring for all the animals that called their house home, and spending time with family.  Her grandchildren were the light of her life.  She never missed a single activity or a chance to spoil them with love.

Those left to cherish her memory include her loving husband of 39 years, Dean Ostwinkle of Hopkinton, two daughters Stephanie (Levi) Farmer of Monticello, Iowa, Rachael (Justin) Feldmann of Petersburg, Iowa, grandchildren: Harper and Hudson Farmer of Monticello, Iowa and Ryker and Evelyn Feldmann with another baby on the way of Petersburg, Iowa, honorary son Tyler (Kathryn) Dunkel of Seattle, Washington, siblings: Dale (Annette) Sauerbry of Hopkinton, Iowa, Donna (Pat) Schlichte of Monticello, Iowa, Pauline (friend Brian) Schaffner of Manchester, Iowa, three brothers in law Michael (Jayne) Ostwinkle of Worthington, Dennis (friend Patti) Ostwinkle of Decorah, Iowa, Darryl (Darla) Ostwinkle of Worthington, Iowa, sister in law, Julie Ostwinkle of Worthington, Iowa, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Francis and Kathleen Sauerbry, stepfather, Bob Heims, parents in law, Ernest and Del Rose Ostwinkle, siblings in law, Ron Ostwinkle, Nita Ostwinkle, and Sandy Ostwinkle.

Her smile, kindness, and her loving heart will be sorely missed by all who knew her.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Miriam Eick’s Toys for the Needy or Clarity Clinic in Dubuque in Deb’s honor.

Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville is assisting the family and information is available at www.kramerfuneral.com.  Memorials may be sent to the family, (in care of Kramer Funeral Home) 750 12^th Ave SW, Dyersville, IA  52040.