Louise's Obituary
Louise Faye Osterman, aged 77, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 30, 2022, in her home in Monarch with her husband by her side. She was born August 30, 1945, in Rolla, North Dakota to Paul and Nellie (Evans) Byre. She was the 5th of 8 children. She graduated from Kramer High School in 1963, moved to Great Falls, and went to beauty school. She lived with her sister, Beverly, and brother-in-law, Les, to help babysit their children. She spoke fondly of her time with her nieces and nephews.
Louise met the love her life through mutual friends, and their courtship was short. She married David R. Osterman on January 30, 1964. Together they raised five children, Craig, Brenda, Clint, Tanya, and Preston, in Belt MT.
Louise was very involved at St. Marks Catholic Church for many years. She was the Religious Education Director, taught CCD, was a Eucharistic Minister, and was also in the Altar Society. She began cleaning homes in 1983 and retired in 2015. Louise was such a meticulous cleaner. She was sought after by many doctors, lawyers, and people from Belt, Highwood, Monarch, and Great Falls. Louise still kept up on her home until her passing.
Louise and Dave operated a tire business in Belt, MT for 32 years. Louise worked beside Dave on tractor calls, paperwork, and with any help he needed. The business was open 24/7, rain or shine, and on all holidays. She had a thumb for gardening for many years and she canned all of the vegetables for her family. Her apple butter was to die for. She and her sister Beverly made lefsa together for many years. She was a hard worker and would haul wood, garden, or work alongside Dave in the tire shop. Louise had many friends in Belt and enjoyed a good visit at basketball games. She was a Husky fan by heart and loved watching every game she could. She never missed her childrens’ sporting events. Dave and Louise moved away from Belt in 2010 when they sold the tire business. Louise had a hard time transitioning to her new home in Monarch, and she missed her visits with her customers and friends. She loved the home she built alongside her husband in Monarch. Louise’s favorite things to do were gardening, camping, boating, fishing, snowmobiling, four wheeling, and taking walks in nature by her home in Monarch. Louise never missed saying her rosary every night before bed while praying for her husband, children, and grandchildren. She prayed for their safety wherever they may be.
Louise had a sense of humor up until she passed away. If we asked her how she felt, she would say “with my fingers.” If we asked her where she was from, she would chime back with, “from my mother.” When Louise was hospitalized and they found her cancer, she would joke with the nurses and always told them not to work too hard. Some of the nurses who got to work with her would smile and tell us, “This will be a fun room” or, “Oh I wish we could keep you.” Her motto was, “If you can’t have fun in life, it would be pretty boring.”
Louise was preceded in death by her son, Preston James “P.J.” Osterman; her parents; her siblings, Beverly Brandt, Paul Byre, Marvin Byre, Donna Coffin, and Mavis Byre; brothers in-law, Lewis Osterman, Tom Osterman, Bud Osterman, and Walt Osterman; and sisters-in-law, Margaret Griffin, Helen Thorson, and Mary Boettcher.
She is survived by her husband, David, of Monarch; son, Craig (Shannon) Osterman of Belt; daughter, Brenda (Vernon) Wheeler of Spokane, WA; son, Clint Osterman of Belgrade; daughter, Tanya (Scott) Mycke of Conrad; 11 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; sisters, Gail Brateen of Minot, ND and Sharon Munyer of Coeur d’ Alene, ID; and sister-in-law Bernice Breeden.
A vigil will be held on Tuesday, December 6, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. The funeral Mass will be on Wednesday, December 7, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Burial will take place at Mount Olivet following the Mass.
