Laura Osterman

Laura Mae (Andrus) Osterman, 89, sadly passed away in her home surrounded by her children on Saturday, August 27, 2016. A vigil service will take place at 6:00 p.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church on Friday, September 2, 2016. A funeral liturgy will take place at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church on Saturday, September 3, 2016. Arrangements are in the care of O’Connor Funeral Home. Laura was born on January 28, 1927 in Lafayette, LA to Lawrence and Lezima (Broussard) Andrus. She met and fell in love with Donald George Osterman while he was stationed in Lafayette and they were married on June 11, 1946. They eventually made their home in Great Falls, MT as Donald was a native of Black Eagle. Their marriage lasted for 50 years until Donald’s death in 1996. During her long life, Laura was not only a homemaker for 14 people (not an easy feat), she was also an active member of the Altar Society of St. Joseph’s and St. Ann’s parishes. In addition, her beautiful voice was a wonderful addition to the church choir for several years at St. Ann’s Cathedral. Laura enjoyed many interests that included being an avid reader which instilled a love of reading to her children; she was a skilled embroiderer – winning many State Fair blue ribbons; she loved music and dancing; and she was a fantastic cook! To sum up a life such as hers is difficult as she meant so much to so many people. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend. Her passing has left a major void in the lives of her children and family that can never be filled. Our only consolation lies in knowing that she is at peace and has finally joined those in heaven who preceded her in death and who loved her as much as those left here on Earth. She will be missed beyond words. She is survived by her two sisters, Betty Delahoussaye and Shirley Pellerin of Lafayette; her 11 remaining children, Cheryl (Wayne) Hedges of Park City, Christine Crawford of Texas, Donna Carlson of Bozeman, Charles, Susan, Tracey Palombi, Tony (Donna), and Timothy all of Great Falls, Catherine (John) Annala of Idaho, Steven of Great Falls, and Elise Wolff of California. In addition there are 12 remaining grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. Laura was preceded in death by her husband Donald; her eldest son George; her grandson Jeffrey; her loving parents Lawrence and Lezima Andrus; along with her brothers who were her best friends, James and Benny Andrus. In lieu of flowers, please support the Peace Hospice of Great Falls, to which the family owes their gratitude and thanks for their amazing care and support during Laura’s illness.