Rosemary Jean Ostby

On June 10, 2020 we lost someone very special. Rosemary Jean Ostby of Northglenn, Colorado passed away at the age of 84 at home.

Rosemary was born on June 13th, 1935 in Monroe County, Iowa to Tom and Bessie Waters. She had two older brothers, Herman and Robert, who are now both deceased. She graduated from Lovilia High School Class of 1953. In her early school years, she attended a one-room schoolhouse in the country. After graduating she worked in Des Moines at the Equitable Life Insurance Company of Iowa as a claims clerk for 4 years.

She was introduced to Air Force Staff Sergeant Ruben aka Oz Ostby by her childhood best friend of over 80 years Sheila and her husband Air Force Staff Sergeant Phil Lundstrom on a blind date. On July 20th, 1957 they were married at the Lovilia Methodist Church in her hometown. They lived in Lincoln, Nebraska where Oz was stationed at Lincoln Air Force Base until May 1963. While in Lincoln, they had two children, Sandy who was born in January 1960 and Randy who was born in December 1961.

They moved overseas to France for 3 years and then returned to the states to Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Nebraska. In December 1967, Rosemary and the kids moved to Salina, Kansas to base housing while Oz served in Vietnam. In January 1969, they moved and were stationed at Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa. In June 1971, they moved back to the states to Bergstrom Air Force Base in Austin, Texas.

Following the retirement of Oz, the family moved to Northglenn, Colorado in July 1972 where Rosemary lived the rest of her life. In August of 1980, Rosemary went to work as a mail clerk at the Villas at Sunny Acres Retirement Community where she retired after working over 20 years.

Rosemary enjoyed baking, cooking, gardening, bowling, crocheting, spending time with family and occasionally going and trying her luck in Black Hawk.

Rosemary is preceded in death by her husband Ruben, parents Tom and Bessie, her brothers Herman and Robert. She is survived by her daughter Sandy and husband Leonard Gregory of Brighton, Colorado. Her son Randy and wife Kathy Ostby of Westminster, Colorado. Her grandchildren Dana and husband Kevin Gallegos of Brighton, Colorado. Air Force Major Shawn Ostby and wife Erin Ostby of Southport, Florida and Shannon Ostby of Westminster, Colorado. Her great-grandchildren Kevin Gallegos II of Brighton, Colorado and Kennedy Ostby of Southport, Florida.

Rosemary’s visitation will be held Tuesday, June 16, 2020 from 6:00-8:00PM. Rosemary’s funeral service will be on Wednesday, June 17, 2020 at 10:00AM. All services are being held at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel located at 9998 Grant Street, Thornton. A private graveside service will follow at Fort Logan National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to:

Agape Hospice Healthcare c/o Lisa Woods, 6041 S Syracuse Way # 220, Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111

Lovilia United Methodist Church, 1602 S E Avenue Lovilia, Iowa 50150

Lovilia Community Building c/o Livolia City Hall, P.O. Box 145, Lovilia, Iowa 50150

Please share your memories of Rosemary and condolences with her family by signing the guestbook below.

Visitation: June 16, 2020 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Horan & McConaty - Metro North/Thornton
9998 Grant Street
Thornton, CO 80229

Funeral Service: June 17, 2020 10:00 am

Horan & McConaty - Metro North/Thornton
9998 Grant Street
Thornton, CO 80229