Joann Osterman

JoAnn E. Osterman, 80, of Chester, went to meet the Lord on April 24, 2015 in Great Falls.The world was first graced with JoAnn on November 11, 1934 when she was born in Havre to Georgiana and Orval Brain during the Great Depression. She came home to their two-room homestead shack fifteen miles south of Chester that had wood and coal stoves, kerosene lamps, and no plumbing. JoAnn attended first and second grades at Erickson School south of Chester and third grade in the Town of Chester. She was lucky to have her beloved Aunt Luella Schwab as her teacher. In 1943, the family moved into a new house just a few miles from the shack. JoAnn then attended Meissner School through eighth grade. The next year JoAnn joined her sister Marguerite in Great Falls where they lived with their grandparents Minnie and Sam Brain while attending high school. JoAnn graduated from Central High School in 1952.While living in Great Falls, JoAnn met Tom Osterman from Monarch, MT. Weve been told the girls were cruising Central Avenue in Grandpas 50 Ford when they met Tom and some friends. After Tom came home from serving in the Korean War, he and JoAnn were married on August 5, 1953, in Chester, MT. JoAnn and Tom were happy to welcome four children into their lives while JoAnn stayed home and began her career as the consummate mom while Tom worked as a heavy equipment mechanic. In 1967 Tom and JoAnn moved to Chester where they farmed and lived for 48 years until temporarily moving to Great Falls when JoAnn became ill.JoAnn loved flowers and gardening and turned the dry soil around the farm into beautiful flowering beds of color even when every drop of water had to be hauled from the Marias River. From spring through fall, her artistic designs adorned her home and those of many friends and family. In 1989, JoAnn enjoyed attending the Floral Design Institute of Seattle. She kept binoculars handy for bird-watching from her deck and dining room window. JoAnn passed her love and passion for art and nature to her children, and Dougs Seattle garden in particular provided her immeasurable joy. While she may not have admitted it, JoAnn was the best cook and baker ever. She bought cookie cutters of her grandchildrens favorite animals, mostly dinosaurs, and perfected her soft sugar cookies, happily watching them disappear by the handfuls. Pies, cinnamon rolls, and made-to-order birthday cakes were also her specialty.She was a faithful, devoted wife, mother, and grandma. Her grandchildren were her special treasures. She doted on them: building forts, reading books, playing tirelessly, and attending countless activities. She was their biggest supporter and each and every one of them knew they were loved unconditionally. She grounded them through her selflessness and humility.JoAnn fully lived her Catholic faith; she was generous and giving, always concerned for the well-being of others first. She lovingly cared for her mother and Aunt Luella when their health failed. She lived her life with a smile, never complaining, even in her last months.She is survived by her beloved husband Tom of Chester; close and loving sisters, Marguerite (Merle) Bivens of Irvine, CA and Carol (Dan) Riley of Marion, MT; children Ken (Lynda) Osterman of Chester, Dede (Gary) Ingman of Helena, Doug (Julie) Osterman of Normandy Park, WA, and Shelley Frost of Chester, VA; grandchildren Geoff and Candice Osterman, Andrea Schlimgen, Ross and Kristen Ingman, Mitchell and Anders Osterman, and Brent Frost; and numerous close and loving nieces, nephews, and friends.JoAnn was preceded in death by her parents, Georgiana and Orval Brain; infant grandson Kevin Osterman; Toms parents Herman and Mary Osterman; and several of Toms brothers and sisters.Mom, we will love you and miss you always; you will live in our hearts forever. Fly with the angels, Mom!At JoAnns request, no services will be held. Schnider Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.Memorials can be made to the Benefis Gift of Life Housing Centers, the Sletten Cancer Institute, or to the charity of your choice.