Pastor Dan B. Ofstehage

Daniel Bernard Ofstehage was born in Des Moines, Iowa on January 8, 1979 to Bernard and Glenda Ofstehage. He left us on October 6, 2021. He was a caring father, a loving husband, a beloved son, a devoted brother, a funny uncle, and he was Pastor Dan. As a child, Dan wouldn’t stop talking and liked to encourage his brothers to do fun and dangerous things. He loved baseball, whether watching a late extra-inning game in the cold, debating ghost runners in the yard, or cheering on hopeless major league teams. Dan graduated from Vermillion High School in 1997 and went to the University of South Dakota where he earned a degree in Communication Disorders.

While studying at USD and working at Hy-Vee he met Sarah and they began their long, loving partnership. Dan and Sarah were married in 2004. While serving adults with developmental disabilities in Des Moines Dan decided to follow his faith and his heart to Wartburg Theological Seminary. His daughter Emma was born in December 2007 while Dan was in seminary. He thrived there, studying by reading scripture and textbooks to baby Emma. Chloe was born in 2010 while Dan was serving his internship in Beloit, WI. He loved their squeaky cheese curds and watching the Beloit Snappers.  

He was ordained into the ministry of word and sacrament at St. Paul Lutheran church in Elk Point, SD in July, 2011. After being called to Trinity Lutheran Church in Mobridge, SD where he spoke God’s word and tried to learn to do ice fishing. In 2017, he was called to Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer in Watertown where he became Associate Pastor. As a pastor, Dan preached God’s word and he practiced it every day. He had an immense compassion for people and taught others to have that same compassion. He loved people easily and was loved by so many.

Dan is survived by his wife Sarah Ofstehage, his brave daughters Emma and Chloe, his grandma Devota Hutchinson, his parents Bernard and Glenda Ofstehage, his siblings, Steve (Stacie), James (Heather), Peter (Dawna), Andrew (Amanda Johnson), and Ellen Ofstehage, his sister-in-law Krissy Hansen, his nieces Payton and Keira Ofstehage, his nephews Arlo and Henry Ofstehage and Theo Trimble, and his aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandparents Glen (Bud) Hutchinson and Mildred and Philip Ofstehage, his uncle Keith Hutchinson, and his mother-in-law Linda Hansen. Dan will be deeply missed but he will always be in our hearts. The joy of the Lord truly was his strength.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, October 11, 2021 at Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer in Watertown.  Pallbearers will be James Ofstehage, Peter Ofstehage, Steve Ofstehage, Andrew Ofstehage, Ellery Dykeman, Erik Olson, James Sells and Jelaine Marple.

Visitation will be on Sunday, October 10 at Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer from 2-4 pm. The family kindly requests masks to be worn.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to his daughter’s, Emma and Chloe’s college funds.

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel. Watertown, Hayti, De Smet and Bryant

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