Joann Ostriem

Ostriem, spelt with the I before the E (the others spell it E I). A spelling error on a government document has turned us into a family set apart from the others, of which, there are many. The Legacy of the Ostriems (IE) was actuated through Joann Elizabeth and it will carry on for generations to come.

Joann was born to John and Mary Schloss On March 29th 1939 in Toppenish, Washington and passed on June 26th at Cottage In The Meadow in Yakima, Washington. She was the 8th of 9 children and with her mother passing when she was young, she spent most of her time growing up with her little brother, Butch (or Gerald depending on who you’re talking to). She met her husband, Wayne Ostriem, in high school and they lived the kind of life you only hear about in old country songs. After running away to get married in November of 1956, their first son, Rodney, was born in California where Wayne was stationed as a marine in 1960 and their second son, Dennis, was born in 1962 in Toppenish, Washington. In 1964 Wayne and Joanne purchased a gas station in Wapato, Washington which is still operated to this day by Wayne and Dennis as Wayne’s Tire.

Should you meet an Ostriem and wonder to yourself where we “get it,” you need look no further than Grandma Joann. She was tough when she needed to be and was seldom shy about giving you her opinion or letting someone have it when necessary. She was also the kindest woman you could ever meet. You weren’t allowed to leave her house hungry and if you were a stray dog lucky enough to wonder into her path, you had likely found your new forever home. If you were someone unfortunate enough to have her famous tacos, I’d like to apologize… Because you’ll likely never find a taco that delicious again. Her pies, rolls and cinnamon rolls will forever be a family staple and I doubt you’ll visit an Ostriem household that isn’t sporting one of her hand-made quilts. She made sure each of her grandkids knew how to spell ‘wonderful’ (the correct spelling is J O A N N if you’re curious) and taught a select few about the antics of the frog in the song Kichie Kichie Ki-Me-O.

We’re comforted in knowing that Grandma Joann has met her Savior and is in Heaven having lived a long and full life. She is Preceded in death by her mother and father, Mary and John, her brothers and sisters, Elmer, Cecilia, Floyd, Barbara Ann, Benedict, and Mary Jean. She is survived by Her brothers, Jacob and Gerald, Her husband of 67 years, Wayne, her two sons Rodney and Dennis, and many, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren who will miss her greatly. Rest well, Grandma. You’ve done great.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.keithandkeith.com for the Ostriem family.