BRIAN DENNIS “OATS” OMANN
Brian Dennis “Oats” Omann, age 41 of Baldwin, died accidentally Friday, January 22, 2016 at his workplace in Woodville.
Brian was born April 3, 1974 in Baldwin, WI, the son of Dennis and Mari Ann (Rademaker) Omann. He grew up on the family farm in Emerald, and graduated from Baldwin High School in 1992. After High School he joined the U.S. Navy and attended the Great Lakes Naval Academy. Brian served as a Plane Captain on the U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier. Upon returning home, Brian attended classes at the University of River Falls, and graduated from St. Paul Technical College with a Carpentry Diploma. He served his apprenticeship and became a Journeyman Carpenter working for Watson-Forsberg Construction and was a member of the Carpenters Local Union No. 87.
Brian was united in marriage to Jennifer Sell on June 20, 1998 at Zion Lutheran Church in Woodville. The couple was blessed with three sons, Nathan, Josh, and Jake. Brian continued to work as a carpenter, but ultimately returned to work on the family farm to pursue his true passion for farming.
Brian was baptized and joined the First Reformed Church in Baldwin. Growing up he was heavily involved in 4-H and went on many 4-H trips visiting places like Canada and Washington, D.C. He received the 4-H Key Award for his involvement in the program. He enjoyed playing and coaching 4-H softball and later on played on the church softball team and in men’s league.
He participated in the FFA and told many stories about good times he had with the dairy judging.
Brian was a loving husband and devoted father. He loved teaching his sons about farming and raising cows. Brian was extremely proud watching his sons play hockey. He enjoyed being a part of the “hockey family” as much as watching his boys play. He loved fishing and hunting but the best part to him was being able to pass this love down to his boys. Brian worked hard to provide for his family and was always genuinely willing to help friends and family with any project or whatever they needed a hand with. He built a house for his family to live and did most of the work himself with help from family and friends. He liked to put his carpentry skills to good use to help out where he could but he would always leave some kind of special mark on the project so they would remember he was there. This is just one of the ways he could lift people up and make them smile. He always had a funny comment or story to lighten the mood. His boys definitely inherited this! He cherished his friendships and touched so many lives.
Brian is survived by his wife of 17 years, Jenny; sons, Nathan, Josh, and Jake; his parents, Dennis and Mari Omann; siblings, Christine (Jim Patterson) Omann, and Jeff Omann; nephews and niece, Eli Omann, Mavrick and Danielle Patterson; maternal grandmother, Evelyn Rademaker; parents-in-law, Milt and Nancy Sell; siblings-in-law, Nadine (Chris) Wert, Melissa (Reed) Hannegraf, and Joe (Gina) Sell; nieces and nephews, Ethan, Hailey, Raelynn, Sawyer, Brooks, and Evelina; grandmother-in-law, Ramona Olson; as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, and great friends.
He was preceded in death by paternal grandparents, John and Minnie Omann; maternal grandfather, Leon Rademaker; uncle, David Miner; cousin, Amy Rademaker; grandfather-in-law, Harry Sell; grandparents-in-law, Donald and Betty Boyd; and uncle, Dan Handrahan.
A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 27, 2016 at the Zion Lutheran Church, 221 Lockwood Street in Woodville, WI, with Pastor Keith Anderson officiating. Visitation will take place at the Zion Lutheran Church in Woodville from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 26, 2016 and one hour prior to the service on Wednesday. Interment at the Baldwin Cemetery in Baldwin. In lieu of flowers, memorial are preferred to Brian’s family.
Funeral services are entrusted to O’Connell Family Funeral Home of Baldwin (715) 684-3434. www.oconnellfuneralhomes.com