Donald John Ostrand

“Far Far,” Grandpa, Dad, Don

August 7, 1937 – January 15, 2014

Don was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and uncle to a close and adoring family. Don leaves behind his wife Sandra West, sister Marilyn Weber (Wayne), brother Bob Ostrand (Ruth), his sons Todd Ostrand (Mara) and Dane Ostrand (Christa), daughter Maria Ostrand Card (Brian), grandchildren Jason Ostrand (Chylsea), Amy Ostrand and Alexander Card, great-granddaughter Jenna Ostrand, his nieces Gail Tobeck (Jerry) and Cathy Ponsioen (Paul), nephews Brian Weber (Rose) and Dave Ostrand, and their families, fourteen cousins and their families, and his stepchildren and their families. A second great-grandchild is expected in June to Jason and Chylsea Ostrand.

Don was the son of Ernest and Martha Ostrand of Bainbridge Island and was raised on his great-grandfather’s 1883 homestead at the head of Manzanita Bay. Childhood activities included swimming, fishing, wood cutting, peeling cascara bark, school, gardening, picking strawberries and driving the Model T truck. All four of Don’s grandparents were from the western coast of Finland and he was very proud of his 100% Swedish-speaking Finn heritage. Don was a member of the Swedish Finn Historical Society since its founding in 1990.

Don maintained relationships with his classmates in the Bainbridge High School Class of ’55 throughout his life and was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church while a resident of the island. Being raised in a neighborhood of Scandinavian relatives known as Ostrand Gulch, Don became a very capable craftsman and would tackle nearly any challenge. He was employed by Pacific Northwest Bell Telephone Company in 1956 and worked his way from pole climbing and installation into second-level management at the time of his retirement in 1990.

During his retirement, Don served as Curator of the Herbert H. Warrick Jr. Museum of Communications in Seattle since its opening in 1987. His co-workers estimate that he put in over 25,000 volunteer hours over 26 years and was involved in every facet of its operation. Many of them worked closely with Don, and were always impressed with his technical expertise and uncanny ability to size up a situation and find useful solutions. He was an incredibly resourceful and hard-working leader, the consummate “crew chief,” and it is an understatement to say he will be missed.

Don and his wife Sandra were a loving team. They met at a Swedish language class, and shared many interests that included gardening and trips to Hawaii. In addition, Don and Sandra were weekly volunteers at the Carl S. English Botanical Gardens, at the Ballard Locks.

For many years, Don and his son Dane trekked out to Forks, Washington for their annual week-long fishing trip in late October on the Sol Duc, Hoh and/or Bogachiel rivers. Dad looked forward to the next year’s fishing week a couple of days after getting home from the current one, and loved sharing his passion for the outdoors and fishing with his family, recently sharing this tradition with his grandson, Jason.

Don was a selfless man. He was caring, thoughtful, always there when you need him, and so generous with his time and talents. Everyone admired his can-do, optimistic attitude, always willing to respond with action to the questions, “Dad, can you fix this?” “Can you help me with...” “Can you come take a look at...”

Gone too soon, Don’s sudden passing stunned and shocked his family, and their hearts hurt just thinking about life without him. They will always treasure the wonderful memories they’ve shared, and they’ll miss his kind heart, joyful laughter, generous spirit and honest advice. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to The Museum of Communications in Seattle, the Swedish-Finn Historical Society, or a favorite charity, in Don’s memory.

Don’s family and many friends take comfort in knowing that he is now at peace. A private graveside committal service will take place on Bainbridge Island and a celebration of Don’s life is planned in Seattle for Sunday, February 9 at 2:00 pm at the Swedish Club, Three Crowns Room, at 1920 Dexter Avenue North, Seattle 98109 (206-283-1090).

Arrangements under the direction of Bleitz Funeral Home, Seattle, WA.