Larry Osterhoudt, 83, of Columbus, Nebraska, died Thursday, February 25, 2021, at the Columbus Community Hospital.

The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, March 2 at 10:30 AM, at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Cindi Stewart officiating. Visitation will be on Monday from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM at Gass Haney Funeral Home and continue on Tuesday from 9:30 AM until service time at the church. There will be a family prayer service on Tuesday at 10:15 AM at the church. Interment will be in Roselawn Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family has asked for memorials to be given to the Columbus Police K-9 Program, Columbus Noon Lions, and Paws and Claws Adoption Center. The service will be broadcast live on Gass Haney Facebook page.

Larry G. Osterhoudt was born December 15, 1937, in McCook, Nebraska, to Bertha (Schmid) and Wendell Osterhoudt of Curtis, Nebraska. He attended Curtis Public Grade School, and graduated from the University of Nebraska School of Agriculture (High School) at Curtis in 1956, where he was a Free Throw Champion. He attended Kearney State Teachers College (UNK), during which time he met the love of his life, Sandra "Soni" Callahan. They were married on March 15, 1959, in Kearney. They moved to Columbus that year to manage the A&W Root Beer Drive-Inn.

Larry attended Platte Community College, and graduated from the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center in Grand Island, Nebraska, on October 8, 1977. He worked for the Columbus Police Department from 1970 to 1985 as Chief of the Reserve Police Unit. Larry worked for Rystrom Engineering for 9 years and then Nebraska Public Power District for over 20 years until he retired in 1996. After his retirement Larry went back to work for Tremel Surveying for 14 years.

Larry was active in Columbus Jaycees, Professional Surveyor's Association, Police Officer's Association of Nebraska, National Institute for the Certification of Engineering Technicians, a golden age member of Eagles Club, Master Angler, and Columbus Gun Club. He attended Columbus United Methodist Church.

Larry enjoyed attending NASCAR races, hunting, fishing, attending his grandchildrens' activities, and meeting his coffee group. He was very active in stock car racing during his early years including being a mechanic and flag man.

Larry's family was always the most important piece of his life, whether watching his grandkids or just being together. We will always cherish the memories of the time we had together.

Larry is survived by:
Wife - Soni Osterhoudt of Columbus, NE
Daughter - Tammy (Bryce) Grotelueschen of Leigh, NE
Daughter - Teri (Dale) Filsinger of Lake Quivira, KS
Five grandchildren - Sam, Jake, and Michael Filsinger and Kyle and Kaycee Grotelueschen
Sister - Elaine Schleeman of Culbertson, NE
Sister-in-law - Glenda Smallcomb of Ukiah, CA

Larry was preceded in death by:
Grandparents, parents, and infant brother

Service Folder Information
We thought of you with love today,
But that was nothing new.
We thought about you yesterday,
And days before that too.
We think of you in silence,
We often speak your name.
Your memory is our keepsake,
To which we will never depart.
God has you in His keeping,
We have you in our heart.




In Loving Memory Of

Larry G. Osterhoudt

Born
Wednesday, December 15, 1937
McCook, Nebraska

Entered Into Rest
Thursday, February 25, 2021
Columbus, Nebraska

Service
Tuesday, March 2, 2021 10:30 AM
First United Methodist Church
Columbus, Nebraska

Officiant
Rev. Cindi Stewart

Music
Ann Cattau – Organist & Soloist
"On Eagle's Wings" "Well Done"
"Our Father"
Congregational Hymn
"You Are Mine"

Casket Bearers
Sam Filsinger
Jake Filsinger
Michael Filsinger
Kyle Grotelueschen
Kaycee Grotelueschen
Brad Kratochvil

Honorary Casket Bearers
Bernard Anderson
Kendall Christensen
Merlin Lindahl
Pat McMeekin
Dale Ryba
Tom Tremel
Allen Hughes

Interment
Roselawn Memorial Cemetery
Columbus, Nebraska