James R. "Jim" Ostgren

Celebration of Life Services for James R. Ostgren will be held on Monday, March 18, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Holdrege, Nebraska with Rev. Dr. W. Kirwin Stewart, Jr. officiating.  Interment will be in the Prairie Home Cemetery in Holdrege.

James Royal "Jim" Ostgren, 80 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Tuesday, March 12, 2019 at his home in Holdrege.  Jim was born July 25, 1938 on a farm northwest of Holdrege in Phelps County, Nebraska, the third of four children to Herbert Daniel and Thelma Faye (Marshall) Ostgren. He received his primary education at Avon Dale Dist. #30 rural school in Phelps County, and graduated from Holdrege High School with the class of 1955.

On September 9, 1956, he was united in marriage to Deanna Anderson at the Trinity Evangelical Free Church in Holdrege. The couple made their home in Holdrege and were blessed with four children: Danna Sue, Dennis James, Donald Lee, and Nancy Ann. On September 9, 2016, Jim and Deanna celebrated their 60 ^th Wedding Anniversary with friends and family.

Most of his childhood was spent on a farm located ten miles north of Holdrege, where his great-grandmother, Johanna homesteaded the Ostgren farm. She came from Sweden in 1882. During high school, he worked on the Virgil Krohn farm, and after high school, worked for Westergren Brothers Earthmoving CO. In 1958, he and Harry "Gus" Johnston formed the company of Johnston-Ostgren earthmoving. This partnership helped him get established and build his reputation as a contractor capable of doing a good job at a fair price. In 1969, he established his own business, Jim Ostgren Construction CO. Inc, on four acres northeast of Holdrege. In 1975, Jim was honored by his fellow contractors of Nebraska Land Improvement Contractors Assoc. with the coveted award of "Nebraska Contractor of The Year." They described him as being a real professional doing what he likes best; Soil Conservation Construction. In 2000, the business was purchased by his two sons: Dennis and Donald.

Over the years, Jim and Deanna were devoted members of the First Presbyterian Church of Holdrege, where Jim served as an elder, usher, and supported the church in various activities.  In 2007, Jim was elected as a Phelps County Commissioner, where he served as Chairman for many years.  He was also a member of the National Corn Growers Association; was a District Director of the Nebraska Land Improvement Association; member of the Holdrege Chamber of Commerce; the Holdrege Country Club; the Elks Lodge; was a charter member of the Optimist Club; and was a past board member of the Nebraska Prairie Museum.

Family was the most important thing to Jim, and he cherished times spent with his children and grandchildren.  He and Deanna loved traveling together, and creating many treasured memories throughout the years.  Jim never knew a stranger and will be remembered for his joyful laugh, sense of humor, his generosity, and devotion to others.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by; great-grandson, James Aloysius Ostgren; and brothers-in-law:  Dennis Westerlin, and Charles Shere.

Jim leaves to celebrate his life; his wife of 62 years, Deanna Ostgren of Holdrege; his four children: Danna Wolford and her husband, Steve of Hastings, Nebraska; Dennis Ostgren and his wife, Diane; Don Ostgren and his wife, Wendy; and Nancy Nelson and her husband, Mike all of Holdrege; eight grandchildren: Megan Launchbaugh and her husband, Karl; Neil Wolford and his wife, Whitney; Matt Ostgren and his wife, Katie; Mitch Ostgren and his wife, Erica; Caleb Ostgren; Ashlyn Ostgren; Maddie Nelson; and Claire Nelson; nine great-grandchildren: Lexi Longshore; and Harper and Lennon Launchbaugh; Annie, J.D., and May Ostgren; Julia, Gemma, and Dominic Ostgren; two sisters: Phyllis Westerlin of Kearney, Nebraska and Shari Carlson of Raymond, Nebraska; one brother, Myrl Ostgren and his wife, Patty of Linn Valley, Kansas; sisters-in-law:  Pat Shere of Lacy, Washington; and Marlene Bennett and her husband, Paul of Chewelah, Washington; brother-in-law, Arlen Anderson and his wife, Janet of Independence, Kansas; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 17, 2019 from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in Jim's honor, and kindly suggested to the First Presbyterian Church; the Prairie Home Cemetery; or the Nebraska Prairie Museum.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.