Molly Osterhaus

Funeral Services and a Mass of Christian Burial for Marlene J. Osterhaus, 68, a resident of Davenport, will be 11am Tuesday, January 12, 2021 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Long Grove.  Per her wishes, the rite of cremation was accorded.  Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Harmon, Illinois.  The family will greet friends at church Tuesday from 9am until the time of the service.  Due to the current health crisis, masks must be worn and social distancing respected. Memorials may be made to  Kings Harvest Pet Rescue No Kill Shelter.  Marlene passed away Thursday, January 7, 2021 at her home.  Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Marlene Julia Bauer was born December 19, 1952 in Sterling, Illinois, a daughter of Phillip and Mildred (Fitzpatrick) Bauer.  As an avid story teller, Molly loved to reminisce about growing up on the farm, and graduating from Newman High School in Sterling, IL class of 1970.

After High School she moved to Davenport where she planted roots and had her children.  She was highly involved in the community, especially working towards establishing the Davenport Compost Facility, a Scout Mom for her sons, and she taught 2nd Grade Religious Education at St. Alphonsus for many years while her children were school aged. There are many more places she volunteered her time to show her family the importance of sharing gifts with others.

She loved to talk politics and had opinions about everything.  While she was quick to share a story or opinion, she was also a great listener and loved to be around people that made her laugh.  She always strived to spoil herself with the finest teas, comfortable shoes, and a slice of her delicious apple pie.

She would be extremely upset if her family did not mention her Mississippi Valley Award Winning Beet and Grape Jelly.   Her children will tell you the Beet Jelly is still collecting dust on our pantry shelves, but the Grape Jelly was faithfully refilled every year after her grandchildren tore through the stash.

She proudly worked in the Credit Department at Von Maur for 22 years where she had more friends than co-workers.  Laughing, smiling, and arguing while getting the work done with them was more than worth waking up for everyday.   Marlene enjoyed gardening in her yard but enjoyed watching her oldest son mow the large hills, crafting, walks with her pets, cooking, and watching her grandchildren grow.  She also loved shopping and traveling the United States with her best friends and family members.  Sitting still while Molly was around was not an option.  A trait she passed on to her children that remember many days of running laps around the house to burn energy and dodging the backside of her hairbrush that mysteriously disappeared.  It’s okay, the 80’s were a different time and her children have all grown to be contributing members of society with no therapy needed.

Molly’s death has sure shocked her friends and family.  Her children were looking forward to at least a dozen more years of threatening to put her in a home.  She was loved beyond measure by many people that will move on with life without her but strive to live as lovingly as she did.

Those left to honor her memory include her children:  Matthew Osterhaus, Davenport; Nicholas (Danielle) Osterhaus, Milan, Illinois; Julia (Mike) Jones, Davenport; and Andrew (Casey) Osterhaus, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa; 13 grandchildren McKenna, Drake Hayden, Morgan, Nina, Landon, Cayleigh, Natalie, Jack, Avery, Sebastian, Spencer, Simon and Baby Due in March to make #14; siblings:  Gary (Marilyn) Bauer, Sterling, Illinois; Mark (Barbara) Bauer, Geneseo; MaryBeth (Richard) Dombroski, Morrison and Patricia (Wilbert) Vetch, Eau Claire, Wisconsin.  She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Phillip Bauer.