Joan C. Ostrander

Joan C. Ostrander, 88, of Colorado Springs, Colo., peacefully passed away on Aug. 12, 2019 in Colorado Springs.

Born July 31, 1931 in Medina, Joan was one of six children of the late Edward A. and Theresa I. Johnson. After graduating from Medina High School in 1947, Joan married Richard L. Ostrander on Aug. 13, 1949, and they raised a family on their Medina farm. Up to 1970, Joan was a longtime parishioner of the former Sacred Heart of Jesus R.C. Church in Medina. In 1971, she moved her family to Kearney, Neb., after the sudden passing of her husband. In Kearney, Joan worked for Ace Irrigation for many years as a bookkeeper and was a member of St. James R.C. Church for 15 years. After eight years of college, she graduated from Kearney State College (KSC) in May 1983 with an MBA, and she continued to teach at KSC until late spring of 1986. In 1986, after all but one of her children graduated from high school, Joan moved to Colorado Springs with her youngest son, Frank. She worked as a bookkeeper for Rocky Mountain Heliarc and then retired from a business accounting teaching job with Pikes Peak Health Careers (PPI) in 1996. Shortly after moving to Colorado Springs, Joan purchased a home and became a new member of the St. Patrick R.C. Church family. In the early 1990s, she and a church friend started the St. Patrick’s Divine Mercy prayer group, which she led with strong dedication for nearly 20 years. Joan was also a faithful, loving and committed member of the Pike’s Peak Carmelites, and their devotion to Mary, The Blessed Holy Mother. Joan’s many hobbies included walking with her dogs and hiking in the mountains whenever she could. Throughout her life, she enjoyed sewing, knitting, needlepoint and crocheting. Like her mother, Joan enjoyed playing the piano for hours. She also gardened since she was a little girl, creating and tending beautiful gardens wherever she lived.

Joan is survived by her 11 children, David P. (Shirley J.) Ostrander of Barrington, N.H., John E. (Karen S.) Ostrander of Omaha, Neb., Susan M. (James J.) Bartha of Colorado Springs, Laurie J. Kring of Kearney, Richard S. (Honeylynn) Ostrander of Kearney, Mark S. Ostrander of Denver, N.C., Terry J. Ostrander of Kearney, Michael C. (Margie R.) Ostrander of Benbrook, Texas, Robert F. (Cathie L. Collins) Ostrander of Elbert, Colo., Teresa A. (Michael E. Grebas) Stout of Colorado Springs, and Frank A. Ostrander of Erie, Colo. Joan was also blessed with 20 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild born July 21, 2019. Her surviving siblings are Edward J. Johnson of Banner Elk, N.C., Conrad J. Johnson of Niagara Falls, N.Y., and Rita A. Brayley of Smithville, Texas.

Besides her parents, Joan was predeceased by her husband, Richard L. Ostrander, on Feb. 6, 1970; sisters, Marie T. Howard on Aug. 28, 1955 and Carol J. Stoltz on Dec. 29, 1972; a granddaughter, Markie M. Ostrander, on Jan. 11, 1986; a grandson, Timothy A. Ostrander, on Apr. 15, 2002; and several cousins.

Her Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Fri., Aug. 23 at St. Patrick R.C. Church in Colorado Springs. Her graveside committal will take place on Sat., Oct. 5 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Medina, beside her husband, Richard.

Arrangements are in the care of Cooper Funeral Home, Medina. Please share condolences at www.cooperfuneralhome.com.