Jean Ostlund

Jean S. Ostlund, age 85, of Minneapolis, formerly of Willmar, died Friday morning, September 26, at the Jones-Harrison Residence in Minneapolis, surrounded by family, after a battle with ovarian cancer.
A Mass Of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, October 4th, at the Church of St. Mary in Willmar with Father Steve Verhelst officiating. The interment will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 6-8 P.M., Friday, Oct. 3, at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home and at the church one hour prior to the service. Memorials are preferred to the American Cancer Society.
Jean Margaret (Skinner) Ostlund was born in Wausau, Wisconsin on August 11, 1923, the daughter of Arthur and Elvina (Grandma Duck) Skinner. The oldest of four children, she was followed by siblings Marilyn, Jim and Tom. Jean fondly recalled her childhood in Wausau, a family led by her charismatic father and loving mother. She especially loved her extended summer visits to Ontonagon in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, a tradition that would continue for Jean and her extended family for her entire life. After graduating from Wausau High School in 1942, Jean moved to Milwaukee where she attended Prospect Hall, and later worked for Dr. Jekyll. Living the life of a young urban professional decades before her time, Jean enjoyed a group of friends -both men and women- who remained close for decades to follow.
In 1956, Jean met Marvin Ostlund of Willmar, through her sister Marilyn and brother-in-law Dr. John Docksey, who had settled in Willmar to practice medicine. Jean and Marv married May 18, 1957, at St. James Catholic Church in Wausau, Wisconsin. Their first daughter, Mary, was born in March of 1958. Daughters Carol and Jill closely followed and the "baby" of the family, David, arrived a few years later. While Marv worked for the Burlington Northern Railroad, Jean helped raise their children while remaining an active member of her community. Jean was a member of the Does, active with the Great Books program in the Willmar schools, and showed dedication in her work with the handicapped, including her role as a member of the board of the D.A.C. in Kandiyohi. In addition, she spent many years as a volunteer and eventually as chairperson of Kandiyohi County for the American Cancer Society. She remained physically active her entire life, enjoying long daily walks and hikes until a broken hip slowed her in her final three years. Jean was an avid reader who could seldom be found without a book in her hands and a bowl of popcorn by her side. She loved classical music, opera, a properly poured vodka gimlet, and, most of all, dancing with the love of her life, Marvin. In addition to her annual visits to Ontonagon, she enjoyed travels to Hawaii, Scotland, England, Wales, France and the Caribbean. She and Marv also spent time in Arizona during winter months. In her later years, Jean enjoyed visiting with her children and grandchildren, especially time spent at cabins and her annual pilgrimages to Ontonagon.
Jean is survived and will be greatly missed by her three daughters, Mary (and Bruce) Bildsten of Minneapolis, Carol (and Dan) Olson of Willmar, and Jill (and Dan) McCarty of Edina; one son, David Ostlund (and Megan Yuen) of Minneapolis and eight grandchildren, Megan Alavi, Reid Olson, Katherine Bildsten, Will Bildsten, Tommy McCarty, Annie McCarty, Matthew McCarty and Zara Ostlund. Also surviving is one brother, Tom (and Mary) Skinner of Sun Prairie, WI., besides other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Elvina Skinner; her husband Marvin; one sister, Marilyn Docksey; and one brother, James Skinner.