Donald H. Ostrom

Donald Harry Ostrom, 77, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 19, 2012, at the VA Hospital in Sioux Falls, surrounded by his family. He was born to Hattie Meine on February 5, 1935. Due to the death of his father before he was born he was raised by his aunt and uncle Elsie and Harry Ostrom in Willmar, MN. After enlisting in the Air Force during the Korean War at the age of 17, he served 3 years in Japan, then moved to Deadwood, SD, where he met Roana Merritt and married May 31, 1959. In 1972, the couple settled on a small acreage in Parker, SD, where he was a successful salesman and a proud daddy to five daughters who kept Don busy and on his toes. Other professions include air traffic controller, truck driver and school bus driver. Don took great pride in his garden, yard and tree tending. He was a Shriner and lifelong Twins fan. He and Roana camped and fished many years at Wheelers in Platte. His family will fondly remember birthday and holiday cards sent with crisp dollar bills and notes written in perfect cursive, sharing words of encouragement and sound financial advice. Survivors include his five children, Kathy (Terry) Nelson, Vermillion, SD; Kelly (Dr. Larry) Alexander, Ft. Myers, FL; Kristy (Dr. Jim) Butcher, Clarksville, TN; Kerry Ostrom, Spearfish, SD; Kammy (Carter) Krumbach, Sleepy Eye, MN; cousin Marlene (Tony) Hesch, St. Cloud, MN; 15 grandchildren; and 7 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, sister, and a great-grandchild. Funeral services will be held 11am, Tuesday, April 24, at Parker Baptist Church. There will be a visitation with family present 7-8:30pm, Monday, April 23, at Hofmeister-Jones Funeral Home. Burial will be at Rosehill Cemetery, Parker, at a later date.