Kent Jimmie Osboe

Kent J. Osboe, age 78, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 9, 2024, at his home surrounded by his family. Kent was born on September 17, 1946, in Webster City, Iowa to Jimmie and June (Caquelin) Osboe. He grew up in Fort Dodge and graduated from Fort Dodge High School in 1964. Kent continued his education at the University of Northern Iowa and received his bachelor’s degree in physical education and business. Both in high school and at UNI, he had an award-winning wrestling career, eventually becoming a two-time national champion and a three-time All American as a Panther heavyweight wrestler. He was well-known and widely recognized around campus, earning the nickname “Oz.” Kent was inducted into the NCAA Division II National Wrestling Hall of Fame and the UNI Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Kent met Jane Sams at the 1968 UNI Greek Week Olympics. They went on to marry on May 31, 1970, at the First Congregational Church in Osage. Kent taught physical education and coached wrestling and football at St. Ansgar High School for four years and at St. Edmond School in Fort Dodge for three years. During their summers off, he and Jane spent many hours golfing at Sunny Brae Golf & Country Club in Osage and relaxing on the porch at Jane’s mother’s house while enjoying a cold beverage.

In 1979, Kent and Jane’s daughter, Sarah, was born. Kent began working at Hormel Foods as a production supervisor shortly after Sarah was born, going on to work there for 28 years. In 1982, Kent and Jane moved to Austin. Their daughter, Elizabeth, was born in 1982, passing away in infancy. Their son, Mike, was born in 1985. Kent and Jane raised their children in Austin, spending time at their kids’ golf meets, hockey games, soccer games, and orchestra concerts. He was a lifelong golfer and fisherman and took pride in maintaining his large yard. He and Jane were members of the First Congregational UCC in Austin. Kent and his family tent camped at Hok-si-la Campground with family and friends on Memorial and Labor Day weekends for many years. He taught his children to ski, with happy winter vacations spent at Telemark Lodge in Wisconsin.

Kent’s favorite thing was to spend time with his family, and he was very proud of his children and grandchildren. He teased his wife endlessly, always with a wink. He loved his lifelong friends, spent many summer weeks on Lake Vermilion, escaped the snow in South Carolina every winter, and went to the gym regularly. He had a tradition of cooking Saturday night meals and always had a cold beer ready for visitors. He was a lifelong Iowa Hawkeyes fan, with Saturdays in the fall reserved for watching college football games. Kent was quick with one-liners, respectful, easygoing, kind, thoughtful, and humble. He was truly one of a kind and will be dearly missed.

Kent is survived by his wife of 54 years, Jane Osboe of Austin; children, Sarah (Warren) Polensky of Papillion, Nebraska, and Michael (Katie) Osboe of Sturgeon Lake, Minnesota; grandchildren, Warren Polensky III, Josephine Polensky, Georgia Osboe, and Walter Osboe; and siblings, Cheryl Smith, Lana (Tim) DeVilbiss and Michelle (Jay) Shultz. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jimmie and June Osboe; and daughter in infancy, Elizabeth Osboe.

A private family memorial service will be held this winter. Kent’s family will be planning a celebration to occur in the spring. Memorials are preferred to the Hospice Foundation of America or the American Cancer Society. Worlein-Hoff Funeral Homes are assisting the family with arrangements.