Lana Jane Ostermaier, 71, of Orange, Texas, died Monday, November 19, 2018 at her home in Orange. Her husband of 27 years, John, and other loving family members were with her.
The funeral will be held Sunday, November 25, 2018 at the First United Methodist Church of Orange at 3:00 p.m., with Doug Rogers officiating. A gathering will take place at Hoff Funeral Home in St. Charles, Minnesota beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 1, 2018. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery in St. Charles, Minnesota.
She was born Lana Jane Morrill in St. Paul, Minnesota on June 15, 1947. She grew up in St. Charles, leading an idyllic childhood in “small town America” until she graduated as valedictorian from St. Charles High School and moved to Minneapolis to attend college. She attended the University of Minnesota where she earned a B.A. degree in Spanish and English. She married James Martin and they moved to Parkersburg, West Virginia for two and a half years, followed by another move to Tulsa, Oklahoma where she worked at a neonatal medical research facility. In January 1974, she moved to Orange, and with the exception of a seven year residence in Wilmington, Delaware, lived there ever since. She divorced and in 1991 married her best friend, John Ostermaier, to whom she was married for 27 years. They both shared a deep love of travel and have been to all seven continents and to over 85 countries. Their mantra was to do the things you love while you are still able, as you never know what may be just around the corner, and she and John followed that formula to the end.
Lana was a member of the First United Methodist Church where she was a member of the church choir and handbell choir. She was also a member of PEO Chapter GW, a philanthropic and educational organization for women. She enjoyed travel, reading, music, games, and family activities and, perhaps most of all, sharing laughter with her friends.
Mrs. Ostermaier is survived by her husband John; son, Jeremy Martin of Orange, and stepson, Jack (Katy) Ostermaier of Houston; brother, David (Marcia) Morrill of Rochester, MN; granddaughter, Zoë Martin of Orange, and step granddaughters, Emily and Abigail Ostermaier of Houston; and nieces, Mical (Jon) Peterson and Dana (Josh) Asleson.
In addition to her parents, Darwin and Lorraine Morrill, she was preceded in death by her son, James (Jamie) Martin.
Friends may call from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturday, November 24, 2018 at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange, and before the service.