Walter John Ostlund was born March 6, 1927 in Harris, Minn., to Carl and Jennie (Johnson) Ostlund. A three-year resident of the Continuing Care Center at Grantsburg, Wisc., he was received into the loving arms of the Lord on May 29, 2007. 

Walt attended elementary school in Stark and Fish Lake, and graduated from North Branch High School in North Branch, Minn., in 1945. He loved sports and was active in track and football and was a lifetime member of the Harris Covenant Church at Harris. As a child he achieved 14 years of perfect Sunday school attendance. 

When he was only 5 years old, Walt's father died and later his mother married Eric Bjorklund. Eric was a wonderful father to him and instilled in him the love of farming.

In 1945, Walt became a member of the United States Army and was honorably discharged in December of 1946. In 1947, he enrolled at the Gale Institute and studied to become a railroad telegrapher. In February of 1948, he was hired by the Northern Pacific Railroad. 

At a rules test for the railroad he met Kay Isackson, and they were married in Duluth, Minn., on October 24, 1952. To this union, eight children were born. Walt and Kay worked at various depots in Minnesota and in 1966 he secured the job of Depot Agent in Rush City. He retired from that position in 1988. 

Walt and Kay lived in the Rush City and Pine City areas their entire married life. Besides working for the railroad, Walt drove school bus and helped Eric on the farm. He was a member of the American Legion Post #93 for 53 years and served as the Commander/Adjutant for 30 years. During his retirement he enjoyed farming the home place and following his kids and grandkids in their various activities. During the time he was a resident of the Continuing Care Center in Grantsburg, he received much loving care from the staff and loved to sing the many hymns he knew with them. 

Walt is survived by his children Carol (Brian) Walberg, Stillwater, Minn., Caren (Jim) Sundquist, Grantsburg, Don (Donna) Ostlund, Rush City, Doug Ostlund and special friend Tracy, Rush City, Chris (Scott) Jahnz, Pine City, and Darryl Ostlund, Chaska, Minn.; grandchildren Nicki (Willie) Driskill, Fridley, Minn., Breanna Walberg. Stillwater, Amy (Adam) Hale, Naples, Fla., Sara (Matt) Moore, Glen Burnie, Md., Rebecca Sundquist, Grantsburg, Eric (Tammy) Ostlund, Cambridge, Minn., Jennie Ostlund, Plymouth, Minn., Jacob Ostlund, Rush City, Ben, Shauna, Carissa and Adam Jahnz, Pine City; great-grandchildren: Quin Driskill, Macy and Christy Moore, Tristen Zimprich, Logan and Lucas Ostlund; sisters:  Lucille Lindh, Cambridge, Lillian (Arlen) Svare, Detroit Lakes, Minn., Jeanette Kurtz, Harris, and Jeanine (Melvin) Fairbanks, Harris;  brother: Myron (Lillian) Ostlund, Columbia Heights, Minn.; sisters-in-law: Sandy Isackson, Pine City and Eileen (Jorge) Hagenbrock, Cape Coral, Fla. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Kay, and infant daughters Angeline and Ann Marie.

Funeral service was at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 2, 2007 at the Harris Covenant Church in Harris with Pastor Neil Bonkoski officiating. Honorary casket bearers were Walt's grandchildren: Breanna Walberg, Rebecca Sundquist Jenny Ostlund, Shauna Jahnz, Carissa Jahnz, and Adam Jahnz. Casket bearers were Walt's grandchildren:  Nicole Driskill, Amy Hale, Eric Ostlund, Jacob Ostlund, Ben Jahnz and Sara Moore. Military rites were performed by the Grothe-Jacobson VFW Post #6692. Interment was at the Oak Grove Cemetery in Harris. Arrangements were by the Olson Chapel, Funeral & Cremation Service, Rush City, Minn.

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