Donna Mae Ostlund

   Donna Ostlund, 88, West Fargo, ND, died Sunday, January 26, 2025, at Sanford Hospital, Fargo, ND.

   Donna Mae Jenny Thieman was born May 1, 1936, in Pine City, Minnesota, to Albert and Vera (Ferguson) Thieman. She graduated from Pine City High School in 1954.

   She worked several jobs in eastern Minnesota until, in early 1962, she met the love of her life, Sanfred “Sandy” Ostlund through his siblings. In six months, November 17, 1962, they were married and set up their home in Tioga, ND, Sandy’s hometown. 

   They moved to West Fargo, ND in 1966 and then in 1969 they bought a house in West Fargo where they raised three children and where she would live for over 40 years. In about 1969 she began working for what would become the West Fargo Medical Center, as part time receptionist. Eventually she took over custodial duties. She would continue that for over 25 years, as they built a new location and continued to expand.

   She and Sandy opened Sandy’s Donuts on September 13, 1983. It was Sandy’s dream, but it would have never worked without Donna. She was the bookkeeper and daytime manager for years. Together they worked day and night to make the business a success, all while continuing the custodial work at the medical center. Working hard is what she did. 

   She did love to talk. Aside from that she read, gardened, crocheted, and had many other hobbies through the years. She loved taking care of her grandchildren and, in later years, enjoyed watching the great-grandchildren laugh and play. Some knew her as “Donna-Mama”; others called her the donut grandma.

   Above all, she loved her Savior, Jesus Christ. She leaned on Him through the years, especially the last 16 as a widow. She had unfailing hope she would see Jesus one day, and see Sandy again. A Bible would often lay on an ottoman in the living room, where she read it in the morning. She was a member of Bethel Evangelical Free Church, where she used her gifts as financial secretary, Sunday School teacher, and wherever else needed. 

   She is survived by one daughter, Cindy Trett-Greywind of Moorhead, MN; two sons, Mark Ostlund of West Fargo, ND and Phillip (Lynda) Ostlund of Ortonville, MN; 11 grandchildren, Bianca (Dan) Barton, Dustin Trett, Darren Trett, Jesse Ostlund, Jeffrey (Sonia) Ostlund, Rhianna (Pat) Fox, and Cierra Greywind, Jenna Ostlund, Emma Ostlund, Zach Ostlund, Nathan Ostlund; 4 great-grandchildren, Irie and Mae Fox; Jaxon and Jayden Ostlund; sister Shirley (Fred) Tuma; and numerous nieces and nephews and their children.

   She is preceded in death by her husband Sandy, her parents, and two brothers. 

   Visitation: Friday, January 31, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m., in West Funeral Home, West Fargo.

   Funeral Service: Friday, January 31, 2025, at 1:30 p.m., in West Funeral Home, West Fargo.

   Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens, Fargo, ND.

West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center

westfuneralhome.com

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