Joyce Snow Ostergren was born on July 10, 1925; after turning 100, she went home to heaven on July 15, 2025. Her service will be August 31st at 1:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of La Crosse, WI at 233 West Avenue S with dessert to follow. The service will be recorded and on the church’s YouTube channel if you cannot attend in person. Instead of flowers, donations can be given to the Recreation department at Onalaska Care Center at 1600 Main Street, Onalaska, WI 54650 (Joyce loved the bingo games), Wisconsin Talking Book and Braille Library at 813 W Wells St, Milwaukee, WI 53233 (Joyce listened to 1300 of their books), or an organization that helps cats (in honor of her cats). Loose change will also be collected for Bingo games at the service.

Joyce and her twin brother Donald Arthur Snow were raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota. After the death of their father, William David Snow (1885 to 1929), they were raised by their mother, Mary Juliette Snow (1894 to 1990) and their Aunt Irene Regina Majerus (1896 to 1975). Aunt Irene had contracted polio and was paralyzed so Mary provided for them all during the depression by taking in boarders and then buying
rentals. When Joyce and Donald were old enough, she eventually went to work again as an executive secretary. Joyce and her brother held a special bond. One of her greatest heartbreaks was when he died of skin cancer on July 3, 1964.

Joyce attended the University of Minnesota and graduated with a degree in Education in 1947. She wanted to be an architect, but they wouldn’t let her since she was a female. Before graduating she met a handsome Navy man at a USO dance, Burton David Ostergren. She waited for him to propose before letting down the other five proposals. They were married on June 21, 1947. Joyce taught First Grade and Burton worked for other dentists before being ordered to serve in the Korean War. After the war, they settled in Excelsior, Minnesota where he opened his own practice in their home. Joyce became the Account Manager, and they raised three children, David (Janine Miller), Karen, and Ann (Scott Wales). We will all tell you that she was the best wife and mother, she loved us 100% and gave her all to us. She always showed up for us and did whatever she could to support us.

The dental practice was open until October 13, 2000, when Burton died after cancer surgery. Another heartbreak for her as they so loved each other and had been married for 53 years. Joyce later moved to Salzer Square apartments in La Crosse in 2006. She spent a short time living with her daughter and family until her final move to the Onalaska Care Center in 2016. We have been told by staff that she will be missed. We appreciate the many years of care they gave to her. We also appreciate Gundersen Hospice who helped care for her too these last 7 months.

Mom was an organizer, planner and loved to be with people. She volunteered at Congregational Church in many different roles from teaching Sunday School to church leadership roles. Joyce helped plan three graduation parties for the Minnetonka School District and was a Campfire Girls Leader. She was very active in Eastern Star having served in many ways and in many roles in Excelsior, including Worthy Matron four times. Joyce also served as Grand Chaplain for the Grand Chapter of Minnesota in 1981. She was also a member of the chapter in La Crosse where she served as chaplain. She appreciated their warm welcome and made many friends there, including Lorraine Café who spent many hours in the care center with our mom. We are so grateful for her. Joyce attended First Presbyterian here in La Crosse and served on the deacon committee. She so appreciated Curt Ruston’s many visits to the nursing home where he would play Pastor Taylor Haley’s messages for her.

Joyce loved to shop since her love language was giving gifts and cards. She loved to host people, which included decorating and making delicious meals. She loved playing bridge and even won a tournament. The family spent two weeks every year for 16 years at Camp Du Nord (YMCA) in Ely, MN. They also went on many picnics to Taylor Falls and the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

Joyce and Burton went on many trips to see family, friends and for dental conventions. She loved the many trips to see David, Janine and their boys in West Virginia, Arizona or Indiana. Joyce and Burton treasured the trips she took to see Karen in South Dakota, Colorado and Texas. She visited Ann and her late husband in New York, and Cloquet, MN. They enjoyed also the trips to see her with her current husband, Scott and their kids. The visits with everyone either at their home or hers were always filled with sightseeing (gardens were a favorite), shows, plays, meals out, and shopping. When she wasn’t out and about, she enjoyed embroidery and reading murder mysteries but always read the end first.

A favorite time of hers was going to visit her niece Merri Snow Houdyshell (Kendyl) in California where they attended Shakespeare plays and of course shopped. While visiting with Merri, Joyce would spend time with her great- nephew Wesley. When he traveled, he would always meet up with her in Minneapolis to share a meal and catch up. It meant a great deal to him to be able to see her in November and spend the day with her.

She was preceded in death by brothers-in-law James Ostergren and Arnie Gruys, sisters-in-law Dorothy Ostergren, Ginny (Snow) Miller, Joyce Ostergren and Ruth Gruys and one son-in-law Steve Guthormsen. She leaves behind her brother-in-law Roy Ostergren, her grandchildren Charlie Ostergren, Sam Ostergren, Klint (Katie) Wales and Shaina Wales (Tarik Oujjilal). She also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews and friends whom she loved deeply. All who met her liked her and she liked them.

Joyce became a Christian at a Billy Graham Crusade when she was a teenager and attending Aldrich Presbyterian church in Minneapolis. There were many conversations these last years about going to heaven. She was looking forward to no more pain, no more crying and no more death. She’s home with Jesus.