Jack Lee Oostdik,76, of Monroe, passed away peacefully on October 28, 2023 with the love of his life, Rosemary Forcade, by his side.
Jack was born on June 8, 1947 in Honolulu, HI and was the only child of John C. Oostdik and May Ward Clark. He attended Monroe High School and graduated in the class of 1965. While in high school, he wrestled, played baseball and earned his Eagle Scout Award, the highest ranking in the Boy Scouts of America. After graduation, he attended the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater where he received his BS in Business. Upon graduation he enlisted in the Army and was deployed to Vietnam. He was very proud to be a veteran and was a member of the VFW, Vietnam Veterans of America and American Legion. Jack was a member of St. John’s United Church of Christ.
Jack was employed by American Family Insurance for over 35 years. He was also very committed to volunteering his time. He worked with Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 351 of Appleton to raise money for the Highground Veterans Memorial in Neillsville and to gain recognition from the state of Wisconsin for the contributions that Hmong people made in aiding the US during the Vietnam War. He also collected supplies and donated a trailer that he delivered to victims of Hurricane Katrina.
If you knew Jack you knew that he was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved to sit in his tree stand in the woods or cruise in his pontoon on the Wisconsin River with Rosie and their dog. If he wasn’t helping to move furniture at Sequels in downtown Monroe, he was playing cards with his card group, watching a Badger or Packer game, enjoyed playing golf and shooting pool. He was also a member of Yellowstone Flint and Cap.
Jack never met a stranger that didn’t call him a friend by the end of the conversation. He was a kindhearted and loving man that always had a good story to tell.
In retirement, Jack and Rosemary loved to travel with friends. They enjoyed visiting all parts of Arizona and New Mexico, as well as Williamsburg and Civil War sites. A few of their trips took them to Switzerland, a riverboat cruise down the Danube River, The Canadian Rockies, Italy, and the Grecian Islands.
Jack is survived by his fiance, Rosemary Forcade, his children with his ex-wife Linda Ropel, Michael J. (Tara) Oostdik and Kimberly (John) Frankki, his grandchildren Heidi Oostdik, Brian Ropel, Kayla Ropel and Orion Frankki and his great grandchild, Meryl Frankki.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Badger Honor Flight, Green County Humane Society or a charity of your choice in Jack’s name.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at 11:00 AM at SHRINER HAGER GOHLKE Funeral Home with Reverend Todd Hackman officiating. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery with Military Honors.
A visitation will be held on Saturday from 10:00 AM until the time of service at the funeral home. Condolences may be sent to the family at: shriner111.com.
