James Ostrom

James I. Ostrom, 88, Henning, MN, formerly Wahpeton, ND, passed away, Monday, May 9, 2016 at Lake Region Healthcare, Fergus Falls, MN. The Funeral Mass will be Thursday, 10:30 a.m., at St. John's Catholic Church, Wahpeton, ND with Rev. Dale Lagodinski as celebrant. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5 PM to 7 PM with a 7 PM Prayer Vigil at Willow Creek Chapel, Wahpeton, with a 4:30 PM Rosary. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery Wahpeton with Military Honors by Wahpeton Military Unit. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to a charity of your choice or St. John's School. Arrangements have been entrusted with Vertin-Munson Funeral Home, Wahpeton.

James Irwin Ostrom was born April 6, 1928, the son of Irwin E. and Grace S. (Fairbanks) Ostrom in Faribault, MN. He grew up in Faribault and graduated from Bethlehem Academy in 1946, where he participated in Football and Basketball. Jim served in the US Marine Corps immediately following WWII from July of 1946 to November of 1948 and was called back into the Marines from November of 1950 to January of 1952, serving in the Korean Conflict. Upon returning from the service he enrolled at St. John's University, Collegeville, MN. After graduating, Jim worked in insurance with his brother, Dick, in Faribault, MN. In 1954 he accepted a job with First National Bank in Wahpeton, ND, working in the insurance department. It was here that he met a teller named Rosemary Langenwalter; they were united in marriage on the 18th of October 1958 in Wahpeton. In 1961 they moved to St. Cloud, MN. They returned to Wahpeton in 1965 and Jim started Valley Insurance. Rosie started working at Valley Insurance in 1974; they sold the business to their daughter Amy in 1993. Jim continued to work there until the family sold the agency in 2008. In July of 2013 Jim and Rosie moved to Henning, MN, to live closer to their daughters.

Jim was a long time member of St. John's Catholic Church, Wahpeton where he was on the finance committee for several years. He served on the board on the Professional Insurance Agents and was active in the Wahpeton community: serving in Jaycees, Knights of Columbus, Eagles, American Legion and VFW.

Jim is survived by his wife of 58 years, Rosie, Henning, MN; three daughters, Jean Ostrom Blonigen, Fargo, ND; Amy (Mike) Ostrom Ahlfs, Ottertail, MN and Mary (Mark) Ellenson, Henning, MN; six grandchildren: Taylor and Jack Blonigen, Mattie (Kyle) Haberman, Sadie Ellenson, Jessie Dumm, Megan Ellenson, and two great-grandchildren, Blain and Bailey.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Joanne, and three brothers, Dick, Tom and Jack, his grandson, Travis, and many sisters and brothers-in-law.