• Jerome Earl Osness, age 73, of Yankton, and formerly of the Groton and Langford area, died early Thursday, February 13, 2014 at Avera Sister James Care Center, Yankton, SD. Memorial services will be 5 p.m., Sunday, February 16, 2014 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Chapel, Yankton, with the Rev. Molly Carlson officiating. Burial of his cremated remains will be in the Hillside Cemetery, Langford, at a later date. Visitations will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
• Jerome was born November 4, 1940 in Britton, SD to Arnold and Velma (Sherrard) Osness. He was baptized and confirmed at the Langford Evangelical Lutheran Church where he was a

long standing member. He farmed on the family farm until 1990 when he and his wife, Vera moved to Groton, SD. He also worked as a sales representative for Dakota Electronics of Aberdeen until his illness in 2002. He was a member of the Tinta Masonic Lodge of Langford. He taught Sunday school and was involved in various community activities. Jerome loved to make people laugh whether it was with his "tricks" or his many Norweigen jokes. He entertained people at nursing homes, farm and home shows, and being an emcee at many events. The things that brought him the most joy were his family (especially his grandkids), fishing (no fish in South Dakota were safe) music (dancing barbershop gospel), Garrison Keillar (Lake Wobegon) and his faith in God.
• He is survived by his wife, Vera of Yankton, SD; children: Carla (Joe) Tappainer of Apple Valley, MN, Kathleen Osness of Colorado Springs, CO, Tamera Darling of Platte, SD, Alan (Laurie) Darling of Langford, SD, Charles (Tamara) Darling of Bismarck, ND, James Darling of Pierpont, SD, James Darling of Pierpont, SD, Sherry Darling of Britton, SD, and Michelle (Nathan) Franzen of Yankton, SD; 13 grandchildren; and 9 great grandchildren.
• He was preceded in death by his parents, Arnold and Velma Osness and brother, Alan.
• The family requests memorials to be directed to the American Cancer Society, 411 2nd Street NW, Rochester, MN, 55901. Please indicate Hope Lodge in the memo of the check. Condolences can be sent to Vera Osness at 214 Benedictine Lane, Yankton, SD 57078.