Mary C. Osterberg, 97, formerly of 1223 Delta Avenue, Gladstone, entered the church triumphant on Saturday, May 19, 2007, at the Bishop Noa Home with her son and daughter at her side. She was lovingly and tenderly cared for by the staff of Bishop Noa Home for the past six years of her life for which her family will be eternally grateful.
Mary was born October 24, 1909 on the family farm in McFarland, MI, the fourth of twelve children to Archie and Lottie (Guntley) Connor. She attended school at the Turin Township School in McFarland. She married Hjalmer “Jay” Osterberg on September 19, 1933 in Escanaba. They lived for a period of time in Rock, MI, Chattanooga, TN and moved to Gladstone in 1943. Mary worked as a cook in the Gladstone Public Schools retiring in 1972. However, most of her adult life was spent as a devoted wife, mother and grandmother with her family giving her the most pleasure.
Mary was an excellent cook and loved to prepare holiday meals for her large, extended family. She enjoyed reading, walking, dancing and feeding the many birds that found a home in her yard. She was very proud of her Irish heritage and amazed her family with her uncanny ability to find four-leaf clovers. She always gracefully accepted with great faith whatever hardships life presented her.
Mary was a member of Memorial United Methodist Church in Gladstone for over fifty years. She was on the Fellowship Committee and was present at the first meeting of the Evening Service Guild, in 1946, which she helped plan. She also helped with bereavement dinners and prepared the elements for Communion.
Mary was a gentle, loving person. Her wisdom, wit, kindness and boundless love are an everlasting gift to her family and will be treasured forever.
Mary C. Osterberg is survived by:
1 Son: Dale (Joyce) Osterberg of Gladstone, MI
1 Daughter: Kay (Gerald) Shapy of Escanaba, MI
2 Sisters: Joan Cook of Gladstone, MI; Lois Nyquist of Gwinn, MI
3 Grandchildren: Leslie Shapy of Escanaba, MI, Jay (Michelle) Osterberg of Newberry, MI, Kathy Robitaille of Gladstone, MI
1Great Granddaughter: Jenna Robitaille of Gladstone, MI
1 Sister in law: Edna (Dick) Collet of Redmond, WA
Also surviving are many loving nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jay, in October of 1956, her parents, Archie and Lottie, six brothers, Archie, Morgan, Fred, Ray, John and Kenny, three sisters, Vera Hade, Lena Laine and Louise Connor.
The Osterberg family will receive friends on Tuesday from 4:00PM to 6:00PM at the Memorial United Methodist Church in Gladstone. Funeral services celebrating the life of Mary C. Osterberg will follow visitation, at 6:00PM, at the Memorial United Methodist Church, with Rev. Jackie Roe officiating. Luncheon will follow in the church fellowship hall.
Committal will be in the Gardens of Rest Cemetery in Wells. The Osterberg family respectfully request that memorial contributions in Mary
Anonymous
Dale and Joyce; Kay and Gerald, Joan, Jay and Michelle, Kathy and Jenna, Jennifer Ann and I extend our deepest, heartfelt sympathy for your loss of sweet Mary.
Words seem very difficult and almost inadequate, but we are so saddened to hear that you all lost your beloved Mary. Her time here was lengthily blessed and she certainly spent wonderful years of it with a loving son and beautifully intelligent daughter-in-law, Joyce, and with a loving family of a sister and loving grandchildren. Our prayers are with you and Joyce, her and your sister, her grandchildren and everyone else affected by Mary’s passing that grew to love her. All our prayers are with those who knew and loved Mary. We pray God’s healing touch will be felt in all your grieving hearts to give you all the strength to overcome your sorrow. We cannot say we know the pain and heartache you are now enduring, but are certain you all will, as will Jennifer Ann and I, treasure and cherish the memory of Mary in breaths we take and honor her life in future steps we take.
I grew to love her too; Mary was so easy to love as she was so gentle, kind, generous and loving herself. Remembering Mary’s beautiful smile, quick wit, great sense of humor, bubbly personality and loving heart will comfort my heartache. I am blessed to have been able to spend time with Mary over the past thirty-five years as I met her in early 1965. It has been wonderful to share joyous celebrations and witness the many lives she touched, especially mine. I will remember her ability to have fun and be positive even during the most adverse of times. I will miss her tremendously, but will minimize the ache by dwelling on the joys we shared together, the good friendship, great fun, heartache and pain, and the laughter and tears we shared in the seemingly long years we spent together. I will never forget the day that sweet angel, Mary, laughed at my offer to have her “shake-a-leg” with me at Jay’s wedding; when she graciously responded instead, by reaching out to hold my hand, and that truly touched my heart. I love her for that moment. Time and memory are two of God’s gift that helps us heal and cope with the separation from those we love. Know dearest Mary, my buddy and friend, you will live in my heart forever. I thank God for you and for all the love, support, and encouragement we have shared over the years. I am gratefully blessed to have you in my heart. Even though our earthly time together has passed, I thank God I have fond memories to last me my lifetime.
We love you, Mary. May God bless you and grant you perfect peace which you have lifelong richly earned and deserved.
Dale, know her loving spirit survives in all those lives and hearts she has touched. Jennifer’s and my prayers are that God’s loving arms are tenderly wrapped around all the Osterberg families, providing you all God’s love, comfort, strength and courage to endure.
Written with heartfelt love to you all from Danny and Jennifer Ann Druding
Daniel David and Jennifer Ann Druding
Gambrills, MD
Kay,
Your mother was a delight, full of grace and very proper. She had the most remarkable sense of humor and was always kind to all that she came in contact with. She is a Wonderful Heritage.
Sincerely,
Pam Perlich
Escanaba, MI
Kay and family,
Just a note to let you know my thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Mary’s life impacted so many and it truly was a honor to have been her pastor for those six years. Let yourself be loved today and know that Mary has been reunited with all those saints who have gone on before.
Take gentle care of yourself,
Joanne Bartelt
Ann Arbor, MI