Inez Janet Hanson Ostenvik was the youngest of five children born to Norwegian immigrants Anton Hanson Ostenvik and Johannah Osness. She was born in Honeyford, North Dakota, where her father was a Section Foreman for the Northern Pacific Railway. Inez graduated from Gilby High School in 1942 and entered St. Michael's Hospital School of Nursing in Grand Forks. She graduated in September, 1945. Inez was working as a nurse when she met Robert Lloyd Jefferies, a WWII veteran attending the University of North Dakota on the GI bill. Bob and Inez were married September 4, 1948. They had two daughters, Janet and Linda.
Inez's role was always that of Wife and Mother. She went wherever Bob's job took him throughout the western Untied States, Canada, and farther afield to Toowoomba, Australia. Everywhere they lived, she was active in the Women's Auxiliaries of his professional and civic organizations. A lifelong Lutheran, Inez was always active in the Ladies' Circles and serving activities in the local parish. When she was able to work as a Registered Nurse, the nursing job she found the most rewarding was working with the premature babies in the Intensive Care Nursery. Inez spent endless hours in activities supporting her children, including Girl Scout and 4H leader, room mother, and serving on PTA boards.
In 1985, when Bob retired from Union Oil, he and Inez moved to the Denver Colorado area. During their retirement years, they enjoyed playing couples bridge with friends at home and at the senior center, and occasional visits to the Blackhawk casinos. They were able to take several cruises, including one through the Panama Canal to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. Their travel destinations included Vancouver, Orlando, Branson and various National Parks, as well as visits to relatives across the country. They often took one of their grandsons with them on these trips. Bob and Inez also spent many hours helping their grandsons with homework and attending their school and sporting events as proud Grandparents. Bob and Inez celebrated 70 years of marriage in September, 2018.
Inez was preceded in death by her husband, Robert. She leaves her daughters, Janet and Linda; grandsons, Robert and Richmond; and great-grandson, Robert Elias to cherish her memory.
A Visitation will be held from 12:00 pm to 12:30 pm, Monday, March 4, 2019 at Olinger Chapel Hill Mortuary followed by an escorted procession to Fort Logan National Cemetery - Staging Area A for a 1:00 pm Graveside Service. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.olingerchapelhill.com for the Jefferies family.
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