Osterndorff, Grace (Age 78, Hanover)

Grace Osterndorff (nee Frook), of Hanover, passed away at her residence after a valiant battle with illness, and went to be with the Lord on Sunday, April 19, 2020. She was 78. 

Born on April 8, 1942 on the family farm on the 6th concession of Brant Township to the late Carl and Mabel (nee Leifso) Frook.  The Frook family was always in church every Sunday, and easily filled an entire pew with a family of 11 children. Sundays were also a time to visit extended family and be thankful for everything the week had to offer. As a young girl, Grace attended S.S.#6 William School in Brant, and Walkerton District Secondary School. She had a special relationship with her favourite teacher and mentor, Mrs. Sophia Hossfeld. After attending Teachers College in 1961 in Stratford, Grace was employed as a cashier at the Lucky Dollar Grocery Store in Elmwood, and Stedman’s in Walkerton. On June 13th, 1964, she married Robert Osterndorff at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Brant Township. Living not too far away from her parents, they soon took up residence on the 8th concession and raised three boys together. Being a mother of only boys was certainly heart stopping at times but they were her pride and joy. She loved the farm life and all it had to offer. She kept busy with the traditional roles, including baking, cleaning, and babysitting, but also helped with the chores in the barn.  “Don’t put off until tomorrow, what you can do today” was always heard in her home. Working with her husband for the first five years in farming, Robert then opened a farm machinery repair shop on their farm, and Grace tended to the bookkeeping and sales for the business. Soon after, they obtained a Ford Tractor Franchise and continued to operate on their farm for 21 years. In 1989, the business moved to a new location in Chesley, known to many as Robert’s Farm Equipment. Hard work was something that the couple never strayed from. Their hard work and accomplishments were rewarded, and they enjoyed trips to Rome, Italy and other great conferences and meetings in various locations. They enjoyed many great relationships that were formed during their years in business. In Grace’s later years, after the death of Robert, she learned to be strong and independent, and spent countless hours volunteering with many charities. She enjoyed her family and her grandchildren, as well as going to church, and of course bowling. Grace had a beautiful smile that could light up a room, and was a woman with a heart of gold.  She was known for her attentive listening ear, and her knack for lifting up the spirits of those in need. She will be missed by many people.

Survived by her devoted sons Bruce (Caroline) Osterndorff of RR1 Elmwood, Brian (Karen) Osterndorff of RR1 Chesley and Barry Osterndorff of RR1 Elmwood. Grace was always keen to have her grandkids for sleepovers to enforce the rules: “Grandma’s Rules, What Rules?”, and missing her terribly are Megan (Rob), Janel (Matt), Derek, Rachel (Chas), Kyle, Brady, Nathan, Amanda (Nick), Laura and her great grandchildren Rylen and Brayson. Fondly remembered by her siblings Calvin (Elsie) Frook of RR1 Elmwood, Beverley (Dorothy) Frook of Walkerton,  Merla (Neil) Cook of Stratford, Ken (Nancy) Frook of Kincardine, Marilyn (John) Mighton, Marianne (Fred) Jacklin and Karen (Don) Wilson all of Hanover. Remembered by her brothers-in-law Victor Bell of Listowel and Bill Tramer of Hanover, and her sister-in-law Nancy Frook of Hanover, as well as many nieces, nephews and their families. Predeceased by her husband Robert “Bob” Osterndorff, sisters Linda Tramer, Dorothy Bell and by her brother Harry Frook. 

A Celebration Service, for immediate family only, will be held at Mighton Funeral Home, Hanover, on Friday, April 24, 2020, at 11 am, followed by inurnment in St. John’s Lutheran Church Cemetery – Elmwood.  The Celebration Service will be livestreamed online, on the Mighton Funeral Home Facebook page, and will remain available afterwards for those unable to watch at the time of the service.  https://www.facebook.com/Mighton-Funeral-Home-Ltd-109625187108921  

Following the service, there will be a final tribute procession taking a route that will travel past St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Brant Township, onward past Bob & Grace’s old home farm on the 8th Concession of Brant, past the Elmwood Community Centre, and continuing up to the Chesley location of Robert’s Farm Equipment, before concluding at St. John’s Lutheran Church Cemetery in Elmwood, where there will be a private family committal service and inurnment.  Anyone who wishes to pay respects to Grace and her family are asked to adhere to the current gathering restrictions in place for Ontario, and remain in your vehicles, keeping a safe distance from others, and avoid gathering in any manner.  Only the immediate family are permitted on the cemetery grounds.  

Memorial donations to the Residential Hospice of Grey Bruce – Southwest Build, or the Home and Community Support Services – Day Away Program are appreciated as expressions of sympathy. The family encourages you to leave a memory on the website so they can share with other family members at this time. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.mightonfuneralhome.ca         

Categorised in: Obituaries

This post was written by Blackburn Radio