Joseph Osvold

Crosby

Joseph Keith Osvold, age 79, passed away peacefully at the Tioga Medical Center on September 1, 2025. He was born to Carl and Catherine (Gallagher) Osvold on August 23, 1946. He married Myra Ann Eide on October 28, 1972. They raised two sons, Jeff and Brian.

Born in Crosby, he was mostly known as ‘Skeeter’ from a very young age and also by his middle name of ‘Keith’ during his more ‘challenging’ educational years in high school. He earned his diploma with CHS class of 1966 and participated in football, baseball, and hockey. He played goalie and always said that was his position because he could not skate.

Skeeter was one of 11 siblings. This resulted in him growing up hard ‘on the other side of the tracks’, as he said, then repaying Crosby later in life by serving even harder as a Police Officer and Chief for 30 years, and with the Divide County Ambulance Service for nearly 40 years. He served the town he loved with dedication and compassion.

Some of his other jobs included Ekness Super Valu, Cenex, Great Plains Supply, New Century Ag, and some time in the oil field with his brother, Harris during his younger days. He, along with brothers Harris and Fred also owned and operated the Crosby Rolla Rama roller rink for three years until he began his law enforcement career in 1981. He was also the Municipal Judge for a couple of years after his retirement.

Skeeter loved fishing. He quit smoking in 1995 and saved that money to put toward a 1999 ‘Skeeter’ brand fishing boat as a gift to himself. He would fish with anyone who was interested. Skeeter loved his television too. It was usually very entertaining and sometimes scary seeing him scream at the Minnesota Twins and Vikings, or politics. His TV time diminished once he learned how to use the ‘Googles’ on his computer.

Skeeter loved Crosby and although he mentioned moving couple of times, we all knew he would never leave. Skeeter was very passionate about his work as a police officer and often times frustrated when he could not provide enough to those he served. He loved kids and was very proud when he was invited to be a special guest at the kindergarten graduation for his nephews Darian and Logan Osvold.

Skeeter leaves behind his wife of 52 years, Myra (Eide); sons, Jeff (Lynelle) Osvold of Cavalier, ND, and Brian (Amy) Osvold of Mandan, ND; grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Morgan, and Alex (Lynae), Andrew (Courtney), Matthew (Gretchen), and Allie; great-grandchildren, Riley, Quinn, and Ada; brother, Fred (Diane) Osvold of Crosby; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Catherine Osvold; and 9 siblings, James, Charles, Harris, Frank, Donald, Geraldine, Mary, Sandra, and Gregory.

Skeeter’s Memorial Service with a luncheon will be held on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Crosby Moose Lodge in Crosby, ND. A visitation will be held at the Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home Chapel in Tioga, ND on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Inurnment at a later date, will be at the Saint Patrick’s Cemetery in Crosby, ND.

Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home of Tioga, ND is assisting the family. Condolences may be left on our Funeral Home website at www.fulkersons.com.

Published by The Minot Daily News, September 4, 2025.