Avis Ostlund, 83, Minot, died Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009, in a Minot hospital.

Avis was born May 24, 1926, in Whitehall, Wis., the daughter of Arvid and Sarah (Larson) Erickson. She was raised and educated in Whitehall, graduating from high school in 1944.

She attended Bob Jones College in Greenville, S.C., and later worked as a clerical worker for Honeywell and Northwestern College in St. Paul, Minn.

Avis was united in marriage to Franklyn Ostlund at First Baptist Church in Williston on Aug. 25, 1956. They resided in Tioga, Rugby and Grand Forks before they settled in Minot in 1961 to raise their family.

Avis was a member of First Baptist Church, Minot. She enjoyed reading, writing and gardening, and she was very proud of all of her grandchildren. She will be deeply missed by all who shared in her life.

Surviving family includes: children, Stephen (Deb) Ostlund, Spicer, Minn.; David (Cheri) Ostlund and Joan (David) Hance, all of Minot; grandchildren, Danielle Hance, Fargo; Nathan Hance, Moorhead, Minn.; Aaron and Jessica Ostlund, both of Minot; Rachel Ostlund, Fargo; husband, Franklyn Ostlund, Minot; sisters, Leone Kaylor, Three Lakes, Wis.; and Ethel Radmer, Cary, N.C.; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Avis was preceded in death by: her parents; and brothers, Ben, Ray, Sherman and Dallas Erickson.

Funeral service: Today (Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009) at 10 a.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.

Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.

Visitation: Will be held one hour prior to the start of the funeral service at the funeral home.

Memorials are preferred to Salem Evangelical Free Church TIE program at 1002 10th St. South, Fargo, N.D., 58103.

Those wanting to sign the online memorial register or share memories and condolences are invited to use the expressions of sympathy section at (www.thomasfamilyfuneralhome.com).