Stanley R. 'Stan' Ostrom

Stanley Russell "Stan" Ostrom, 98, passed away Monday, April 16, 2012. Stan was born in Warren, Minn., where the family owned a farm. He graduated from Warren High School and was confirmed in the Swedish Mission Covenant Church. After high school, he earned a B.S. degree from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn. He then held teaching and principal positions in Hamilton and Lisbon, N.D. While teaching, Stan met Bernice "Bunny" Schaffner and they were married in 1939 in Fountain City, Wis. Two daughters were born, Karen in 1942 and Gail in 1946.

From 1942 to 1945, Stan was Acting State Supervisor of Guidance for the state of North Dakota. He earned his M.A. degree at the University of Minnesota, and his Ed.D. degree from Syracuse University, focusing on vocational guidance.

In 1948, he was hired as Delaware State Supervisor of Guidance, and then from 1949 to 1954, he was Coordinator of Child Welfare Services for the Long Beach School District.

For 10 years, he held the position of Director of Test Development with the California Test Bureau. For the last 14 years of Stan's career, he was the Assistant Director of Guidance Services for Santa Clara County Schools.

Throughout the years, Stan continued to teach classes in guidance at various colleges and universities. He also developed and marketed a self appraisal test.

During his 44-year career in education, Stan had received many honors and awards.

Throughout the years, Stan continued to run the Ostrom family farm in Warren, and remained a supportive and active alum of Concordia College.

Wherever he lived he was always involved in a local church. He was an active member of Kiwanis for 60 years.

Playing golf, gardening, traveling and following his favorite sports teams were lifelong pastimes.

Stan is survived by his daughters, Karen Wiles of San Luis Obispo and Gail (Gary) Anderson of Reno, Nov.; stepchildren, Robert (Betty) Maynard of Albuquerque, N.M., Marilyn (Dick) Jaeger of Blanchardsville, Wis., Reeni (Jack) Knutson of Prescott, Ariz., and Greg (Lola) Elstad of Carlton, Minn.; four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, A. Gust and Othelia Ostrom; sister, Jeanette; wife of 33 years, Bernice "Bunny" Ostrom; Gracia Maynard Ostrom, whom he married in 1997; and Berenice "Bunny" Loftness Elstad, whom he married in 1991.

Memorial donations may be made to the Berenice Ostrom College Scholarship Fund at Concordia College.

Sign his guest book at sanluisobispo.com/obituaries.

May 17, 2012 ~ Pine Journal, Cloquet, Minn.

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