John Christian Ostenso

John Christian Ostenso, age 72 of Backus, MN passed away at his home in Backus on Monday, July 16, 2018.  He was born on January 28, 1946 in Brainerd, MN the son of Albert and Cora (McNair) Ostenso.

John graduated from Brainerd High School in 1964 and entered the United States Navy.  He served his country for 7 years before returning home in 1971.  John was a very loving family man and this showed in all the lives that he touched.  He took great care of his family and loved being around them, especially his grandchildren.  When the kids were growing up they could all remember his passion for being dedicated to their care and putting food on the table.  Often times he would take the kids north to a relative’s house and return after a month of hard work to pick them back up.  John was also dedicated to his church and the love of his wife, Mary Ann.  The two would love spending their time camping at the Stoney Point resort on Leech Lake.  John loved being in the north woods.  Camping and fishing were his passion all throughout his life.  He enjoyed fishing to the point he took a boat with him wherever he traveled and he’d be in it any chance he got.  His grandkids are going to miss the fishing trips and the family’s going to miss his humble spirit.

The family that John joins again are his parents; Albert and Cora,Sister; Donna Halac, brother in-laws; Scott Budd, and John Nelson, and one niece Taryn Budd. 

Those he leaves behind to cherish his memory are his loving wife; Mary Ann of Backus, sons; Kris (Wendy Haavisto) Ostenso of Inver Grove Heights, and Ken (Michelle) Ostenso, daughter; Tonya (Minh) Nguyen of Gordo, AL, brother; Murray (Carla) McNair of Elk River, sister; Janet Nelson of Brainerd, grandkids; Nicholas Haavisto, Victoria Haavisto, Jacob Ostenso, Josh Ostenso, Lilah Ostenso, Jessica Huston, other relatives and many friends.

Funeral Service for John will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 21, 2018 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Backus with Rev. Stephen Rutherford officiating.  Arlene Flesh will be the organist.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.  Pallbearers for John will be Wally Anderson, Steve Hanson, Wayne Gregory, Kenny Ostenso, Kristoffer Ostenso, and Jimmy Blanchard.  Honorary pallbearers will be Wally Anderson, Lyle Van Blaricom, Clint Converse, Jim Cirhan and Mihn Nguyen.  Interment will be held at Camp Ripley State Cemetery, Little Falls, MN at 2:00 p.m., Monday, July 23, 2018 with full military honors.

John’s care has been entrusted to the Northern Peace Funeral Home of Walker, MN.  Online condolences for the family may be given at www.northernpeace.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John Christian Ostenso, please visit our floral store.