- Born on: October 22, 1941
- Departed on: June 14, 2026
- Resided in: Winthrop, IA
Jean Elinore Klotz-Appelget-Osterhaus
Jean Elinore Klotz-Appelget-Osterhaus passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 14, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.
Jean was born on October 22, 1941, in Independence, Iowa, to Franklin and Elinore Klotz. She graduated one year early from Independence High School and attended Iowa State University before transferring to the University of Iowa, where her uncle, Donald Klotz, was a longtime tennis coach.
Jean enjoyed a successful career as a realtor and retired in 2005.
On August 25, 1997, Jean married Richard Osterhaus in Swisher, Iowa. Together they shared many happy years filled with family, friendship, and adventure. Jean enjoyed fishing, canoeing, and loved nothing more than a good book. She was also a gifted writer who authored many poems and stories inspired by farm life and her cherished memories.
Jean is survived by her husband of nearly 29 years, Richard Osterhaus; her daughter, Laura; her son, Chris; Grandchildren Kyla, Nathaniel and Sara Appleget; her stepdaughters, Lisa Kane and Teri Allen; and her sister-in-law, Melanie Klotz of Yuma, Arizona.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Elinore Klotz; her father, Franklin Klotz; and her brother, Franklin “Frank” Klotz.
