John Overgaard

 John E. Overgaard, 71, of Exline, Iowa, formerly of Ventura, died Wednesday, May 28, 2014 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City. As per John’s wishes he was cremated, followed by a time of sharing of memories and celebrating his life with family and friends on Sunday June 1, 2014 at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake. A private inurnment was held in Ventura Cemetery, Ventura. Family suggests memorials to Hospice of North Iowa.

 John was born Jan. 23, 1943 in Mason City, the son of Wilbur S. and Cleo (Coe) Overgaard. He graduated from Ventura High School in 1961. He met his future bride to be on his first day of kindergarten and married Virginia L. “Ginni” Schubert on Sept. 23, 1961.
 He owned and operated Overgaard & Sons excavating in Ventura. He then worked as a welder for Northern Natural Gas Co. for 19 years. In 1993 John went on his own as an independent pipeline welder, until his retirement in 2010. John’s work defined him, and he loved being a welder.
In fall of 2009 he bought a farm in Exline, Iowa. He enjoyed farming, working with horses, hunting, fishing, his coffee groups, gardening, cooking with his cast iron, reading cook books, watching food channels, walking, biking, and most of all attending his children’s and grandchildren’s events.
He is survived by four children, Renee (Steve) Denny, Garner, Iowa, Robert (Jamie) Overgaard, Lakewood, Colo., Roxanne (Allen) Anderson, Williams, Iowa, and Ryan (Monica) Overgaard, Klemme, Iowa; eight grandchildren, Tanner Denny, Tyler Denny, Jordan Anderson, Summer Anderson, Andrea Anderson, Faith Anderson, Audrey Overgaard and Taylor Pesicka; his mother, Cleo Overgaard, Iowa Falls, Iowa; two sisters, Margaret Welter, Monticello, Iowa, and Janis (Dwight) Atichison, Alexandria, Minn.; and a brother, Russell (Gail) Overgaard, Steamboat Springs, Colo.
He was preceded in death by his father, Wilbur, and his wife, Ginni.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.