Franklyn Ostlund

Franklyn John Ostlund,

91, Minot, died Tuesday,

Nov. 3, 2020 with Co-

vid-19 in a Minot nursing

home.

Franklyn John was born

on Feb. 27, 1929 in rural

Tioga to Francis and Ruth

(Nelson) Ostlund as the

5th of 7 siblings. He was

raised and educated in

Tioga, graduating in 1948.

Frank attended Brier-

crest Bible College for a

year. He was drafted into

the U.S. Army in August

1952 and honorably

discharged in July 29,

1953. Upon his return, he

worked as a truck driver

for 30 years. When Frank

ended his driving career,

he took a job as an apart-

ment manager at 1st

Minot Management,

where he worked for 20

years. He loved his

co-workers, being outside

on his riding mower, and

helping people. He retired

in 2004.

Frank met Avis Erick-

son through his sister,

Genevieve (who was also

Avis’ roommate) and

didn’t hesitate to marry

her after a short courtship

on Aug. 25, 1956. They

had three children,

Stephen, David, and Joan,

who were his pride and

joy. Frank was a devoted

husband and was devas-

tated to lose Avis on Oct.

24, 2009.

Frank had a warm smile

and soft spot in his heart

for everyone he met. He

beamed and smiled with

his warm brown eyes

when he talked about his

loved ones, and he never

missed an opportunity to

show off his children and

grandchildren. He loved

nature and could never

get enough sunshine. He

and Avis were avid gar-

deners and frequently

shared the fruits of their

labors. He also loved be-

ing on the move and even

enjoyed driving in snows-

torms. Frank loved a cup

of strong, black coffee and

couldn’t say no to a cook-

ie or anything sweet.

Frank’s faith was a

cornerstone of his charac-

ter. His room was often

filled with the sounds of

Southern Gospel quartets,

and he prayed constantly

for the lives of his loved

ones. He had many close

calls with death and

would come back speak-

ing of visions of his farm

in heaven, where he

would have a pet lion and

a tractor that ran on corn.

He was a member of Trin-

ity Evangelical Free

Church, Minot.

Frank’s motto for life

could be summed up as,

“See the best in people

and always let them know

they are loved.” Goodbyes

were always filled with

hugs, hand squeezes and

many iterations of “I love

you.” Even on his

deathbed, he said, “I love

you,” as many times as he

had the strength to say.

His warmth and huge

heart will be dearly

missed.

Franklyn’s loving fami-

ly includes: children

Stephen (Debra) Ostlund,

Wilmar, MN, David

(Cheri) Ostlund, Minot,

and Joan (David) Hance,

Minot; grandchildren Ra-

chel; Aaron and Jessica;

Danielle, Nathan, and

Tristan; siblings

Genevieve Johnson, Mot-

ley, MN, Vernon (Helen)

Ostlund, Buffalo, MN,

sister-in-law, Donna Ost-

lund, Fargo, ND;

Frank was preceded in

death by: Avis; his

parents; brothers Francis

Jr. and Sandy Ostlund,

and sisters Ruth Ostlund

and Eunice Nelson.

Celebration of Life Ser-

vice: Due to COVID-19, a

private family service will

be held Friday, Nov. 20,

2020 at 11 a.m. at Trinity

Evangelical Free Church,

Minot. Masks required.

Livestream: A lives-

tream of the service may

be viewed by using the

link in the website obitu-

ary.

Public Interment: Fri-

day, 1 p.m., Rosehill

Memorial Park, Minot

with military honors.

Public Visitation:

Thursday, Nov. 19th from

4-6 p.m. in Thomas Fami-

ly Funeral Home, Minot.

with Masks required.

Memorials preferred to

Trinity Church.

Sign the online memori-al register or share

memories on the expres-

sions of sympathy section

at www.thomasfamily

funeralhome.com.