Askild Oscar “Oscar” Ostrem (1851-1938)

OSTREM, HEDIN, RUMER, MITTERLING, TAYLOR, JOHNSON, HELVIG, HILLER

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 9/5/2024 at 19:57:15

From Story City Herald April 7, 1938 (page 1)

Oscar Ostrem Died Monday

Former Story City and Jewell Businessman Succumbed to Old Age at Home of Daughter--He Was 87 Years Old

O. Ostrem, 87, a former merchant and resident of Story City and Jewell for over 60 years, died early Monday morning at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Earl C. Helvig, in Des Moines. Death was caused by kidney trouble and complications.

Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at the Bethesda Lutheran church at Jewell, with Rev. Carl Opsahl in charge, assisted by the Rev. Rasmussen, Des Moines. Burial was made in Evergreen cemetery at Jewell.

Born in Norway

Mr. Ostrem was born Jan. 1, 1851, in Etna, Norway, and came to this country at the age of 16, settling in Illinois. He lived there ten years and then moved to Iowa, where he spent the remaining 61 years of his life. He was a pioneer merchant, operating general stores at both Story City and Jewell for many years.

He went out of the mercantile business, however, to accept a position as a traveling salesman, and also sold real estate. Mr. Ostrem was forced to retire from active business several years ago due to his health.

Leaves Ten Children

He was secretary of Sondhordland Laget, national Norwegian organization, composed entirely of settlers from Sondhordland, for 17 years. He had been a member of Bethesda Lutheran church at Jewell ever since it was founded.

Mr. Ostrem leaves two sons and eight daughters: Mrs. Wm. S. Hedlin, Portland, Ore.; Mrs. I. D. Rumer, Klamath Falls, Ore.; Dr. Christine O. Mitterling and Carrie Ostem, Webster City; Mrs. Ralph Taylor, Swaledale; Mrs. Earl E. Johnson, Williams; Mrs. Helvig, Des Moines; Mrs. Harold Hiller, Jewell; Oscar O. Ostrem, Whittier, Calif., and Dr. Carl T. Ostrem, Des Moines. He was preceded in death by his wife, who died in 1915. There are also 24 grandchildren and one great grandchild.