Junior R. Ostlie

Obituary

Junior Raymond Ostlie was born on August 20, 1932, in Glencoe, Minnesota. He was the son of Leonard and Lenora (Bruckschen) Ostlie. Junior was baptized as an infant on September 11, 1932, by Reverend E. Kolbe and was later confirmed in his faith as a youth on May 5, 1946, by Reverend A.R. Streufert, both at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Glencoe. He received his education in Glencoe and was a graduate of the Glencoe High School with the class of 1950.

Junior entered active military service on February 21, 1952, and served his country in the United States Air Force during the Korean War.  He was a Communication Technician and would fly over various countries mapping out the territory they were flying over.  He received an honorable discharge on February 20, 1956, having achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant.

On October 22, 1955, Junior was united in marriage to Mavis Zuehl in Lester Prairie, Minnesota. After their marriage, the couple resided in Lester Prairie and they lived there since 1956. Junior and Mavis were blessed with two children, Debra and Joel. Junior was employed at Schwartz Manufacturing for 27 years working in the shop and also as a salesman. Junior and Mavis shared 68 wonderful years of marriage. 

Junior was a member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lester Prairie where he was a trustee and also was an usher for many years. He was also a member of the Lester Prairie American Legion Post #463 for 54 years.  He walked in many Memorial Day parades with the Color Guard.  Junior also served his community by volunteering on the Lester Prairie Fire Department.

Junior enjoyed being outside and in the outdoors.  He and the family would go camping to many different spots around Minnesota and seemed to never go to the same spot twice.  Fishing was a hobby of his that he loved to do.  Junior enjoyed every second of fishing with his son, grandsons, great-grandsons, nephews, and friends.  He loved playing sheepshead and cribbage; whether on a fishing trip or at family get-togethers. Junior also was a fan of many sports watching and listening to all the local and state teams.  One of his biggest joys was attending High School sporting events and watching his great-grandchildren play. He cherished the time he spent with his family and friends, especially his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Junior passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, at Harmony River Living Center in Hutchinson at the age of 91 years. Blessed be his memory.

Junior is survived by his:
Wife, Mavis Ostlie of Lester Prairie, MN;
Children, Debra Zebell and her husband, Dwaine of Glencoe, MN, and Joel Ostlie and his wife, Kim of Walker, MN;
Grandchildren, Daniel Zebell of Blaine, MN, and Derek Zebell and his wife, Jenny of Glencoe, MN;
Great-Grandchildren, Laura and Claira Zebell, Zachary, Owen, and Eli Zebell;
Siblings, Roger Ostlie and his wife, Elaine of Glencoe, MN, Marlene Hackbarth of Howard Lake, MN, Jeanne Pagel of Glencoe, MN, Gloria Lovett of Glencoe, MN, Brothers-in-law and Sisters-in-law, Gordon Zuehl of St. Augustine, FL, Dorothy Klobe of Waconia, MN, Carol Larson of Eagan, MN, and Shirley Ferrero and her husband, Jim of San Ramon, CA;
Nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Junior was preceded in death by his Parents, Leonard and Lenora Ostlie; Siblings, Margie Hoppenrath, Leeland Ostlie, and Earle Ostlie; Brothers-in-law and Sisters-in-law, Wilmer and Lois “Polly” Zuehl, Steve Larson, and Dr. John Klobe.