Osmund "Ozzie" Quandahl
Osmund “Ozzie” Quandahl, 99, of Waukon died Sunday, December 7, 2025, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Funeral services were held Saturday, December 13 at Waterloo Ridge Church, rural Dorchester with Pastor James Glesne officiating. Burial with military honors was in the church cemetery. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon handled arrangements. Memorials may be sent to the Veterans Memorial Hospital Foundation in Waukon.
Osmund “Ozzie” Quandahl was born at home, November 6, 1926, in Quandahl, Allamakee County, to Sander and Carrie (Osmundson) Quandahl. He was baptized at Big Canoe Lutheran Church in rural Decorah, confirmed at Waterloo Ridge Church, and graduated from Waukon High School.
He enlisted in the Army in 1945, trained in California, and re-enlisted in the Air Force, training in Hawaii. He was stationed in Japan, setting up radar stations until 1949.
Upon returning home, Ozzie was employed at Bakkum’s, a grocery store in downtown Waukon. It was there he met the love of his life, Phyllis Snitker, who was shopping with her mother. They were married October 2, 1949, and together they raised their family of eight children: Cathy, Linda (Mick) Sweeney, Mary (Dwight) Frear, Julie (Lyle) Schulte, John, Carrie, Sam (Carol), and Bill (Lori), all of whom feel blessed to have Ozzie as their dad. His energy, grit, and kindness set a standard his family was proud of.
Along with his wife Phyllis, he purchased Bakkum’s grocery store and before long, they bought land on the outskirts of town to build the Food Ranch. Ozzie also wanted to farm, mainly to keep his kids busy and out of trouble with some physical work. The S&Q Feed Ranch (Waukon Feed Ranch) was created as they saw a need for a feed store in the area. His love of auctioneering led to the purchase of the Northeast Iowa Sales Commission, which became well known with the farmers in a 75-mile radius.
Ozzie loved motorcycle rides with Phyllis, but always made sure the dog was able to go as well. Deep down Ozzie was a people person; he loved to meet and make new friends wherever he went. When asked what he did for a living, he said, “I am an out-of-work auctioneer” as an icebreaker. His network spread far and he called friends and family regularly to catch up and just see how they were. To say that he touched many lives is a huge understatement.
He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great-grandfather who had extreme faith in the Lord. In later years, he kept busy following the great-grandkids’ adventures and sporting events, feeding cattle, chickens, gardening, and buzzing around on the Kubota. In the fall, he enjoyed sharing his produce with friends and neighbors.
Ozzie was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Phyllis, of 75 years; a grandson, Levi Quandahl; his brothers and sisters-in-law: Paul and Carol Quandahl, and Richard and Ruth Quandahl; his sister and brother-in-law, Eloise and Delbert Bulman; and his brothers-in-law, Roger Furgeson and Ron Gavle.
He is survived by his sisters: Naomi Ferguson, Beverly Gavle, Sandra (Gordon) Tangen, and Marsha Stroh; his brother, Roger (Mary); eight children; 26 grandchildren; 44 great-grandchildren; 12 great-great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and his dogs, Sucha and Oscar.
Casketbearers were Pete and Mike Sweeney, Henry Frear, Jason and Michael Thompson, Bobby Gronna, and Dexter Quandahl.
Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.
