Lois Elaine Van Ostrand

Lois Elaine (Buehler) Van Ostrand, 92, was born July 14, 1929 to John & Viola (Borde) Buehler at their family home in Elgin, Illinois. She was one of four children – brothers, Robert (Bob) and Wilford (Sonny), and, sister, Lorraine (she was preceded in death by all three). She graduated from Elgin High School in 1947 and then began working at the Elgin Watch Factory, where she worked for over a decade and then became a homemaker.

Lois met the love of her life, Donald (Don), on a blind date on New Years Eve 1948. Fast forward nine months and they said their “I do’s” on September 17, 1949. When hearing Don talk a few years ago about meeting Lois and falling in love with her, he said that all of his friends were married and having kids, and after spending time with her he realized that “she was fun to run around with” and the rest was history. Not long after their wedding, they were involved in a serious car crash caused by a drunk driver and Lois was in the hospital for a month. This was a true test as newlyweds that strengthened them even more and would be a foundation that the rest of their life of love, laughter, and care for others was built on.

Lois was the mother to two children – David (Dave) and Cindy. In July 1968, they left Elgin and moved to Bremerton, Washington, where they purchased the home that they still live in to this day. Not long after arriving, they found their church home at Peace Lutheran, where Lois’ servant heart shined – member of the Altar Guild, ladies sewing group, volunteered many summers at Vacation Bible School, helped in the kitchen for numerous events, and assisted with the Wednesday afternoon church service held at the Bremerton Convalescent Center. Outside of church activities, Lois spent her time supporting Cindy and her son-in-law, Chuck (Stone), at their bowling league nights and slow-pitch softball games, caring for her two granddaughters, Stacy (Noble) and Amy (Stone-Huitron), and, supporting all of the activities they were involved in – if her and Don could be there, they were there.

Lois loved gardening around the house and tending to the plants she kept in her greenhouses, although, she could have done without the weeding. Saturday mornings, precisely at 7:00am, she enjoyed breakfast at either The Airport Diner, the Big Apple Diner, or most recently, at The Family Pancake House. Her and Don did frequent road trips back to the Midwest to visit family and friends over the years, with their last trip being in 2008. She was also the mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother to many lucky dogs, including poodles, beagles, a mouthy Boston terrier, a sassy husky, a couple of border collie/catahoula lab mixes, and a miniature pinscher who protected her the last four years.

Lois was a spit fire, full of sass and grace. She loved and lived for her family. She deeply cared about the people in her life and would do anything for them at the drop of a hat. Her hugs made you feel instantly warm inside. She was a strong Lutheran woman that was excited to one day be in Heaven with her Lord and Savior, and knowing that, eases the pain that we all feel with her loss. In the last four years of her life, she got to witness both of her granddaughters get married, she became an instant great-grandmother to Michael (Mikey) Noble, and on May 5, 2021, she became a great-grandmother to Amari Elaine Noble – a 4th generation sassy female.

Lois left us just before noon on August 17, 2021 – a month before her’s and Don’s 72nd wedding anniversary. She was at home, which is where she wanted to be. We miss her dearly but know that we will one day get to be with her again in Heaven.

Lois is survived by her husband Don (who just turned 101 on August 22nd!), son Dave, daughter Cindy & son-in-law Chuck Stone, granddaughters and their husbands, Stacy & Peter Noble, Amy & Juan Huitron, step-great-grandson Michael, and great-granddaughter Amari.

A memorial service is planned at Peace Lutheran Church in Bremerton at 2:00pm on Thursday, August 26, 2021.