Whitman County Gazette - Serving Whitman County since 1877

Carolyn Janet Ostergren went to be with Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on August 31st, 2023, in Portland, Ore.

Hers was a life of nurturing connections: born in Missoula, Mont., in 1951 to Herb and Joyce Ostergren, youngest of three siblings; growing up in Gladstone, Ore., along the Clackamas River; graduating Class of '69 from Colfax High School in Washington; serving as an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer at a migrant clinic in Woodburn, Ore., and as a dietician in New Orleans and Portland; organizing the first Gerontology Conference at OHSU; a keeper of family stories from Norway to Montana; a lover of books, the hills of Colfax and waterfalls of the Columbia Gorge; constantly creating things whether a Bicentennial signature quilt or Christmas stockings for low-income seniors. Her faith and humor in the face of chronic illness was an inspiration. She would often say that time with friends and family was "truly the best in life."

She is survived by her partner Chris in Colfax; her Cousin Barbara in Washington; her Cousins in Montana Joyce and Garry, Patty and John, Bob and Jane, Jim and Nycki, and their families; her Nephew Marc, his wife Andrea, and their son Chase; her Niece Serenity and her husband Matteo.

A celebration of life will be held at the East Portland Community Center, 740 SE 106th Ave. in Portland at 12:30pm on Saturday, October 14th. In lieu of flowers, a gift can be made to Multnomah County Library, Northwest Pilot Project, or Hopewell House.