GeraldineOstby

Geraldine "Gerry" Ostby

Geraldine "Gerry" Ostby, age 84, of Sheyenne, ND, died Saturday, February 18, 2012, at the Sanford Palliative Care Unit in Fargo, ND.

Geraldine Tweed was born July 23, 1927, near Glenfield, ND, the daughter of Jessie (Gunderson) and Alfred Tweed. She attended country school in rural Kensal and graduated Valedictorian from Kensal High School in 1944. Gerry received a scholarship to attend Jamestown College. Gerry’s first teaching position was in Sheyenne, where she met the love of her life, Wayne Ostby. They were married on March 14, 1948 in Cooperstown, ND and continued to live in Sheyenne throughout their lifetime. Wayne died on January 3, 2008.

Gerry’s love for learning continued to be an important part of her life. She believed all children should be given a quality education and strived to help her students achieve their optimum level of learning. Gerry taught at Sheyenne Public School for 28½ years and retired in 1989.

The community of Sheyenne soon became a vital part of Gerry’s life and her commitment was evident in her involvement. She was a charter member of the Eddy County VFW Auxiliary Post #3696, as well as a charter member of the Sheyenne Homemakers Club. She also belonged to the Sheyenne Garden Club, Degree of Honor Lodge, and Sheyenne Bridge Club. Gerry was a member of the Sheyenne Heritage Society and was a co-chairman of the book, “Our Heritage�?. This historical compilation was published in 1980, and documented the city of Sheyenne and the surrounding townships. She also co-authored her Tweed family history book.

Gerry was instrumental in acquiring the historical “Log Cabin Museum�? and was actively involved in its operation.

She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, where she taught Sunday School, served on the Church Council, and was active in Lydia Guild and LCW. Her love for Christ was apparent in all aspects of her life.

Gerry was proud to be of Norwegian descent, and a trip to Norway with family members, which included a visit to her ancestral home, was a highlight of her later years.

Gerry was happiest when surrounded by her family and took great pride in her daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by two daughters; Jane (James) Cudworth, Warwick, ND, Joan (Jerry) Cudworth, Sheyenne, ND, six grandchildren; Todd Cudworth, Tracy (Kevin) Jordre, Robert (Amy) Cudworth, Sarah (Jared) Purdy, Rachel(Aaron Larson) Cudworth, Michael (Rachel Wechsler) Cudworth; nine great-grandchildren; two sisters, Jesslyn Lunde, Cooperstown, ND, Elaine Tweed, Fargo, ND; as well as a sister-in-law, Carmen Dickinson, New Rockford, ND.

Gerry was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne, her parents, an infant stillborn son, a brother Ralph Tweed, a sister Dorothy Lunde, as well as four brothers-in-law, Roger Lunde, Erling Lunde, Leonard Dickinson, Ed Besselievre; and two sisters-in-law, Doris Besselievre and Marna Tweed.

FUNERAL SERVICE: Grace Lutheran Church, Sheyenne, ND

DATE AND TIME: Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 11:00AM

BURIAL: Riverside Cemetery, Sheyenne, ND

Posted Condolences:

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Name: Sharron Blezard

Date: March 5, 2012

Message: Dear Jane and Joan:
I just heard about your mother's passing into life eternal. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your families. Your mother was such a jewel, and she and your dad were wonderful neighbors. Gerry had such a kind heart and gentle way about her -- always the teacher. She will be missed.

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Name: Penny Salmonson Selinger

Date: February 26 2012

Message: Joan and Jane,My sympathy is with you and your families. Gerry was always one of my favorite childhood "moms". I was surprised though, that she remembered me even back in 2002 when I visited her while I was in Sheyenne. She was still the nice and warm person I remembered.

My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Penny

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Name: Earl & Janet Johnson

Date: 02-24-12

Message:

Joan, Jane and familys:

We are so sorry to hear of your loss of your mother. We both had the privilege of teaching with your mother in Sheyenne and have many good memories of her, Wayne and you. We know the pain of your loss as Earl just lost his mother in November. Mothers are so special. Find comfort in having been able to enjoy her for so many years and all the wonderful memories of that time spent together. Our prayers are with you at this sad time in your lives. May God comfort and bless you all. You are in our prayers.

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Name: Joelyn Scriba

Date: 2/23/12

Message: So sorry to read about your loss. I thought it was so special to see Mr. and Mrs. Ostby at the athletic events.

Condolences,

Joelyn

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Name: A. Jackson

Date: 2-22-12

Message: My deepest sympathies to the family. May you find comfort in the joyous occasions you shared together. Hold them dear to your heart.

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Name: Rich & Dagmar Dickinson

Date: 2/22/12

Message: Dear Jane and Joan and your families:

We were deeply saddened to to hear of Gerry's passing. We will always remember her as the wonderful person she was, always smiling. We wish you peace and comfort during this difficult time. We regret that we are not able to join you in Sheyenne for the funeral, but we are thinking about you and your Mom. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

In sympathy,

Rich, Dagmar, Leo, and Patrick

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Name: Ruth Tweed

Date: Feb. 21

Message: I was saddened to hear of Gerry's death. I never learned to know her as well as I would have liked but I have good memories of the times I had visited with her. She was so cheerful and full of life. Treasure your memories.

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Name: Betty Solwey

Date: 2/21/12

Message: Joan, Jane, and Families:

Thinking of you and your families during this difficult time. It is so hard to say goodbye, but memories will live on and that is what makes it a little easier.

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Name: Tina

Date: 2-20-12

Message: Our thoughts and prayers are with your family through this difficult time. God bless you all.

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Name: Laura Hermanson

Date: 02/20/2012

Message: Mrs. Ostby was my 3rd and 4th grade teacher. I am an Olson. Vernon and Shirley Olson were my parents. I believe Mrs. Ostby taught all 9 of us kids. Which is probably no surprise since she taught for so many years. She was my favorite teacher. My son also got to meet her in Sheyenne when he was in 4th grade. He is now a sophomore at NDSU. Our prayers our with you.

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Name: Colleen and Terry Dockter

Date: 2202012

Message: Prayers with you and family