Jerome D. Oster

Jerome (Jerry) D. Oster, 75, of Ankeny, Iowa, passed away Sunday, January 17, 2016 at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa. Memorial services will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 22, 2016 at St. Paul Lutheran Church (1100 SE Sharon Dr., Ankeny, IA) with Pastor Mark Baldwin.

Jerry was born January 25, 1940 to Joel and Ruby (Hattie) Oster in Dassel, Minnesota. He graduated from Dassel High School in 1958 and attended St. Thomas & University of Minnesota-Twin Cities where he received his Master’s Degree in Geography. Jerry was united in marriage to Lois Helena Cerwick on April 16, 1966 in Minneapolis, MN. Jerry worked as an applied geographer in retail market research over 45 years, planning the locations of major shopping centers and department stores. Over the years, Jerry worked for Dayton-Hudson (Target) Corporation, General Growth Properties, and as the principal consultant in his own firm, Oster Research Group. Most recently, Jerry worked closely with family in the development of a retail product-oriented business, Retail GeoScore, where he put his many years of experience and encyclopedic knowledge of geography to use.

Jerry, with a curious mind and passion for knowledge, was a creative thinker and avid reader. He enjoyed gardening, working in the yard, traveling, photography, discussing philosophy, and most importantly, spending time with his family. He was a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers and other professional societies.

Jerry is survived by Lois, his wife of 49 years; his son, Mark Oster of West Des Moines, IA; his daughter, Ann Galvin of Bloomington, IL; his sister, Janet Rossell of Atwater, MN; his brother, Donald Oster of Surprise, AZ & Cokato, MN; and his two grandchildren, Evan and Oliver Galvin. He is preceded in death by his parents.