Obituary of Jon William Ostberg

Jon William (Bill) Ostberg, age 82, of Golden Valley died Tuesday, February 2, 2021. 

Bill was born on November 12, 1938, in Chicago, IL, to Leslie R. and Dora M. (Gustafson) Ostberg. His father being a pastor in the Evangelical Covenant Church, the family moved a few times but returned to Chicago where he graduated from High School. Bill earned a chemical engineering degree from Michigan Technological University, and an MBA from Northwestern University in Chicago, IL. He met Dianne K. Gustafson at Lake Geneva Bible Camp, and married her on September 21, 1963.  Together they lived in Wheaton, IL, Brooklyn, NY, Madison, NJ, Fairport, NY, and Wausau, WI, before Dianne passed away in 2013. Bill then moved to the Covenant Living of Golden Valley community in 2017

Bill had four interesting careers. He worked first as a chemical engineer for Stepan Chemical Co. He moved from there to serve as a financial officer for a Mobil Oil subsidiary. From there he and a partner purchased and operated a building supply company, Ontario Building Supply of Rochester, NY.  Finally, he sold his part in the company and moved to Wausau, WI where he served ten years as a parish administrator for Trinity Lutheran Church and School. 

After Bill retired, he spent time between his home and the family cabin at Long Lake, WI. He enjoyed outdoor activities including canoeing in Wabakimi Provincial Park and the Boundary Waters, camping, hiking, snow shoeing and cross-country skiing. He was an avid reader, and also liked woodworking and old cars. He loved to drive, and would consistently take road trips first with his family, and then to visit family and friends upon retirement.

Central to Bill's life was his Christian faith. Wherever he lived, he established a strong relationship with a church family for worship, study, sharing, and support. His legacy lives on in the impact he made on the lives of his children, his grandchildren, his extended family, his friends, and his acquaintances.

Bill is survived by children Kristin Ostberg of Chicago, IL, Julie (Steve Arnold) Ostberg of Simi Valley, CA, Peter Ostberg of Fairport, NY, and Carl (Sue) Ostberg of Newport News, VA; sister Connie Sutphen of Carol Stream, IL; and seven grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held at a later date at First Covenant Church of Minneapolis.