Don was born on August 22, 1920 to Earl & Nellie (May) Van Ostrand in York, Nebraska. He was an only child, but had numerous cousins to grow up with. Growing up on a farm, hard work, caring for others, and a love for animals was instilled on Don’s heart at an early age.
Don was inducted to the Army on October 26, 1942 and began his active service on November 9, 1942 in Chicago, Illinois. He began as a tank driver and later was a Gunner in the Light Artillery. He served in the Southern Philippines and Ryukyus during World War II (and could talk to you about it like it happened yesterday!). After the war, he was stationed in Ft. Logan, Colorado, and was honorably discharged and separated from the Army on January 16, 1946. During his time, Don was awarded with an American Service Medal, Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two (2) bronze stars, World War II Victory Medal, and, Good Conduct Medal.
After the Army, Don moved back to the Chicago area where numerous family and friends of his resided. Being in his late 20s at the time, he was eager to find a lovely woman and settle down, as all of his friends were married with children. He was set up on a blind date New Years Eve 1948 with Lois Buehler - a sweetheart of a gal that was nine years younger! They hit it off and nine months later, on September 17, 1949, they were married.
Don and Lois started their life together as a married couple in Lake Marion, Illinois. They went on to have two children, David and Cindy. When Lois’ father, John, passed away in 1960, they moved to Elgin, Illinois to live with Lois’ Mom, Viola, and Lois’ sister, Lorraine. Don worked at St. Charles Kitchen as a carpenter for many years, embracing his love of building things. In July 1968, the now family of six, packed up their belongings and moved to Bremerton, Washington, where Lois’ brother Bob (Robert) and his son’s, Tommy (deceased) and Jimmy lived. Not long after they arrived, they became members of Peace Lutheran Church and purchased their forever home.
Don started his Civil Service career in October 1969 as a Messenger at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. In August 1970, he transferred to the Naval Ammunition Depot Bangor as a Helper. A couple of months later he became a Station employee when the residual functions of the Depot were assumed by Naval Undersea Warfare Engineering Station Keyport. During his time at Keyport, he was a Storage Battery Repairman and Ordinance Equipment Worker for the MK46 Shop. Don was known for his “can do” attitude, lending a hand wherever needed. After a 20 year Federal service career, he retired on January 31, 1986.
Don’s retirement years were spent doing the things he loved most. House projects - whether it was at his own, someone else’s, or at Church - any excuse to hammer a nail, climb a ladder, buy a new saw, he loved to fix things and make things better. He served Peace Lutheran Church in any way that he could, including being an usher on Sundays, assisting with Wednesday afternoon Lutheran services at the Bremerton Convalescent Center, whatever Lois asked him to help with that she was involved with, and helping fellow church members in need. He loved cars and enjoyed spending time with family and friends at Bob Buehler’s Texaco station on 11th & Callow in Bremerton. He loved dogs, having many in the house over the years, and playing dog hotel for the grandpups and great-grandpups in his life (there may have been some parakeets that utilized the dog hotel as well). He also loved to do crosswords and word search puzzles, always having a crossword dictionary and a plethora of pens at his disposal, as well as having a decades-long subscription to Star Magazine just for the crossword puzzle (or so he claims). Lois and him loved to road trip back to the midwest to visit family and friends, with their last big trip being in 2008 - any chance he could, he would tell those who were able to to make time to travel because you never know when you won’t be able to anymore.
More than anything else, Don loved to spend time with his family, taking care of his granddaughters and being present for any sport or activity they were involved in. He was able to see both of his granddaughters get married and became Fred Astaire on the dance floor at both receptions, completely embarrassing Lois. Embarrassing Lois was also something he loved to do, although, we don’t think he was ever aware that he was doing so - this mainly occurred when he would start telling war stories and anything funny from his past with a complete stranger (or one of his “girlfriends”) out in public.
Don was a creature of habit - his daily uniform consisted of a button-up shirt/flannel and overalls with peppermints in his pocket, he was in front of the TV on weeknights from 7:00-8:00pm to watch Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy, Saturday evenings were popcorn nights with his Bride, and Saturday mornings at 7:00am breakfast was served at either The Airport Diner, The Big Apple Diner, or most recently, The Family Pancake House on Kitsap Way.
If you knew Don, you knew that you were blessed. He could carry on a conversation for hours and put anyone in a trance with his sparkling blue eyes and infectious laugh. He cared deeply for those he loved, and he loved his Lord and Savior most. We know that he is up in Heaven, back with his Bride, and all those he loved and laughed with that left before him.
Don was predeceased by his beloved wife, Lois. He is survived by 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 viewing is planned from 1:00-4:00pm on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 at the Miller Woodlawn Chapel in Bremerton. A graveside service is planned at 10:00am on Thursday, March 14, 2024 at Miller Woodlawn in Bremerton. A memorial service is planned at 1:00pm on Thursday, March 14, 2024 at Peace Lutheran Church in Bremerton, with a reception to follow in the Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Peace Lutheran Church.
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