Myrl H. Ostgren

Celebration of Life Services for Myrl H. Ostgren will be held on Friday, October 9, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, Nebraska with Pastor Brad Perry officiating.  Inurnment will follow in the Prairie Home Cemetery in Holdrege.

Due to health concerns, regarding the COVID-19 pandemic; current CDC and Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services guidelines for Faith-Based Services will be followed. The Ostgren family sincerely encourages each person to make their decision whether to attend Myrl's services based on the best interest of your health, and that of your community.  For the safety of all concerned, face coverings are highly encouraged.  Myrl's service will be live-streamed on the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home's Facebook page. (https://www.facebook.com/Nelson-Bauer-Funeral-Homes-111601113801622)

Myrl Herbert Ostgren, 83 years of age, of Linn Valley, Kansas, passed away on Monday, September 28, 2020, at Olathe Hospice House, Olathe, Kansas. His wife Patty was faithfully by his side as he passed.

Myrl was born November 19, 1936, in Holdrege, Nebraska, the second 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 1954.  While attending high school Myrl was an active member of Future Farmers of America and he played the trumpet in the Holdrege High School band.

During his school years Myrl worked on the Ostgren family farm with his dad, "Hub" and brother, Jim.  Myrl was a phone lineman alongside his dad and brother installing the telephone lines in their rural township. In 1967, Myrl worked for a short time for Johnston-Ostgren Earthmoving. As a professional, Myrl was licensed to sell insurance and investments for Investors Diversified Services. Later, in 1968 moving to Leavenworth, Kansas Myrl held a long time employment position with a wholesale hardware company, Blish, Mize and Silliman as a sales representative in Northeast Kansas. He received top honors on several occasions for his sales accomplishments. Eventually, Myrl fulfilled a lifelong dream of owning his own business by becoming the owner of Perkins Hardware Store in Bonner Springs, Kansas. Early retirement came when the store closed and Myrl moved to Linn Valley, Kansas where he continued to work installing heating and air conditioning units. At the age of 80, Myrl retired from his position as the Plant Manager of the Water Treatment Facility for the Linn Valley Property Owners Association.

On September 16, 1955, Myrl was united in marriage to Mary Brown of Holdrege. The couple had two children: Kim and Kirk.  The family lived in Hastings, Nebraska and then moved to North Central Kansas making their home in Norton and then Phillipsburg. Myrl's wife, Mary passed away in 1966.

Myrl was remarried in 1968, to Rita C. Schuler.  Children of this union are Scott and Chad. The couple later divorced.

On November 24, 1991, Myrl married Patty L. Sanders. Patty's son, Ricky McMurtrey lived in the home during his childhood. Myrl was an important father figure to Ricky.

Myrl was always involved in the communities in which he resided. In the early 1960's he was Vice-President and President of the local Jaycees organizations in Norton and Phillipsburg. He frequented the local Friday night races in Norton and after moving to Phillipsburg he drove the ambulance for Kansas Biggest Rodeo. In Leavenworth he was a member of the Knights of Columbus. Myrl was the Treasurer for Linn Valley Lakes' Super Seniors Golf Association.

In his early years Myrl learned to water ski.  He was remarkably good, able to slalom ski never even getting his clothes wet.  Myrl was an accomplished licensed airplane pilot, owning a single engine Cessna 150 and other small planes.  Myrl loved new cars and owned at least 24 different models over his lifetime.  One of his first cars was a waterproof Volkswagon that he proudly drove through a flooded street near I-80 north of Hastings while other stranded drivers looked on.  Myrl was an avid golfer who loved to play in tournaments with family and friends. Myrl was a dedicated dog lover and owner, most recently to his dogs, Sparky and Fred.

Besides his parents, Myrl was preceded in death by; wife, Mary Ostgren; brother, Jim Ostgren; brothers-in-law: Dennis Westerlin; Mike Woodhead; and Cliff Sanders; nephew, Rip Carlson and ex-wife, Rita Ostgren.

Myrl leaves to celebrate his life; his wife of 30 years, Patty Ostgren of Linn Valley, Kansas; his five children: son, Kirk, and his wife, Cynthia, Leavenworth, Kansas; daughter, Kim Norwood, and her husband, Randy, Hutchinson, Kansas; son, Scott Hahne, and his wife, Anna, Stockholm, Sweden; son, Chad, his partner, Kate Stuart, Kansas City, Missouri; son, Ricky McMurtrey, Liberty, Missouri; eight grandchildren: Richard Norwood, and his fiancé, Bethany Miller; Kyle Norwood, and his fiancé, Katelyn Richards; Jennifer Valentine, and her husband, Wayne all of Hutchinson, Kansas; grandson, Keifer, and his wife, Amanda, of Leavenworth, Kansas; Philip and Jacob Hahne, of Stockholm, Sweden; granddaughter, Maeve and grandson, Rowen McMurtrey of Liberty, Missouri; six great-grandchildren: JaLiyah, Micah, and Myles Valentine; Belamie Reingardt; Kendall Norwood; and Gavin Ostgren; two sisters: Phyllis Westerlin of Kearney, Nebraska; and Shari Carlson of Raymond, Nebraska; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

A memorial book signing will be held on Thursday, October 8, 2020, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in Myrl's honor, and kindly suggested to the Olathe Hospice House, Olathe, Kansas at https://www.olathehealth.org/patients-and-visitors/giving/one-time-gift/ or the Alzheimer's Association-Heart of America Chapter.

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.