Neil Ostlund

Neil Aldrich Ostlund was born March 11, 1932, in Alexandria, MN, the son of Aldrich and Eva (Weaver) Ostlund. He was raised in Alexandria where he graduated from Central High School in 1950. Neil continued his education at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. While still in college Neil began a career with Northwestern Bell Telephone working as a pole lineman.

In 1954, Neil was united in marriage to Mary McDonough. They were blessed with three children, Laura, David and Julie

Neil began earning his way up the management ranks with Northwestern Bell Telephone. He managed the facility in Owatonna, MN before moving to Richfield, MN. He transferred to Northwestern Bell in Minneapolis and a liaison for Community Relations. Following the reorganization of ATT and the Bell companies Neil was offered early retirement at age fifty-five. He and Mary moved to the Alexandria area where they purchased the Summer Place Resort in 1986.  Neil continued to operate the resort following Mary’s death in 1990.

In 1992, Neil was joined in marriage to Betty Stroh and was blessed with a very large family. They continued operating the resort for a few years before officially retiring, Neil and Betty remained at Lake Le Homme Dieu until moving into Alexandria in 2015.

Neil loved the outdoors and lake life. He enjoyed golfing with friends and family and was a member at the Alexandria Golf Club. Neil loved to fish in the summer and winter; fishing with his grandchildren was a great joy to him. He hunted birds and deer, Neil was also a great fan of the Minnesota Vikings and the Minnesota Gophers Football. When he couldn’t be watching football, he was watching or listening to a Minnesota Twins baseball game.

On Tuesday, October 19, 2021, under the care of Hospice of Douglas County and surrounded by many of his family, Neil died at the age of eighty-nine years. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Ostlund; his parents; his son, David in 1963; daughter, Laura Peterson in 2013; stepsons, Don Stroh and Patrick Stroh; step son-in-law, Jerry Terfehr; brother, Myron Ostlund; and sisters, Donna Pertl and Irene Bergstrom. Neil is survived by his wife, Betty Stroh Ostlund; his daughter, Julie Rambow; step children, Margaret Hebert and husband, Jerry, Julie Lundrigan and husband, DJ, Willie Stroh, Teresa Terfehr and Nancy Hollar and husband, Vern; son-in-law, Brian Peterson; step daughter-in-laws, Michelle Stroh and Tammey Stroh; grandchildren, Adam Rambow, Amanda Fallon, Melissa Leraas, Kari Stanske, Michael Wellnitz, Stephanie Grecula, Dawn Terfehr, McKensie Grina, Alex Stroh, Nicole Hollar, Rachel Stroh and Grant Hollar; three great grandchildren, Ava Rambow, Arlo Rambow and August Rambow; and an amazing bounty of additional great grandchildren that have enriched his life.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 AM, Monday, October 25, 2021 at the Church of St. Mary in Alexandria. Interment will be in the Kinkead Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 PM Sunday with parish prayers beginning at 4 PM at the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria. Additional visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at church. In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home and Crematory.