Esther Lorene Ostrander's Obituary
Esther Lorene Ostrander beloved mother and grandmother, 99, passed away on August 18, 2014 in Antioch, CA. She was born on July 21, 1915 in Kaw City, Oklahoma to Oscar C. and Mary A (Butler) Benbrook. She lived in Tacoma, WA most of her life.
Esther talked of fondly of growing up in a large family in Ponca City, OK. She and her siblings played and ran barefoot, which unfortunately led to the time she was bit by a water moccasin and nearly died. The family later moved to Idaho, where she met and married her husband William. They lived in CA briefly, then moved to WA state after WWII, where they worked and farmed in Maytown and Yelm. But her dream was to buy a house in town. She realized that dream when she watched new homes being built on 74/M St in Tacoma. She had her eye on one, and they bought it in 1959. They lived in that same house until 2006.
Esther worked for Olin Mathieson Powder Company in Frederickson, WA for many years. After retiring, she took up golfing and was very good at it, winning several local tournaments. She also traveled some, mostly to visit her beloved family. But she realized another dream when she took the trip of a lifetime to the Holy Lands.
She was a devout Christian and a member of the Tacoma First Nazarene Church. Above all, she loved spending time with and caring for her family. They will miss her dearly.
She is survived by sons Wayne (Judith) Ostrander, Bill (Becky) Ostrander, and David (Rebecca) Ostrander, 11 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. Esther was preceded in death by her husband William, son Sidney, daughter Sondra Elliott-Reese, and all nine of her siblings.
11 Grandchildren: Suzanne Ostrander, Becky (Ostrander) Payne, Robin (Elliott) Kjos, Darren Elliott, Kristynne (Reese) Green, William Marcus Ostrander, Regina (Ostrander) Peck, Mary Helen (Ostrander) Wakefield, Dynnel (Ostrander) Ryan, Jeremy Ostrander, Amy Ostrander
21 Great Grandchildren: Bryan Payne, Samantha Payne, Ryan Kjos, Nathen Kjos, Casey Kjos, Britney Elliot, Jacob Elliot, Jamie Eliott, Kelly Green, RJ Green, Ashley Ostrander, Shelby Ostrander, Sidney Ostrander, Miranda Nelson, Gage Peck, Sierra Peck, Christina Wakefield, Sydney Ryan, Preston Ryan, Hudson Ryan, Sofia Ostrander
4 Great Great Grandchildren: Koleton Kjos, Axel Kjos, Baylor Kjos, Asher Kjos
Services will be held at 11:00 AM Friday August 29, 2014 at the Tacoma First Nazarene Church, 3640 S M St Tacoma, WA. Visitation will be held Thursday August 28, 2014 from 1:00-8:00 PM at Mountain View Funeral Home.
What’s your fondest memory of Esther?
What’s a lesson you learned from Esther?
Share a story where Esther's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Esther you’ll never forget.
How did Esther make you smile?