Jeanette M. Osterland's Obituary
Jeanette Osterland, AKA Gramma, Gramma O, Great Gramma, Gramma Great, Aunt Jeanette and Mom, age 98, passed away March 25, 2024. She was born November 28, 1925 in St. Clair to the late Sherman and Irene Distelrath. She married Wilfred Osterland on September 1, 1945 in St. Mary’s Catholic Church, St. Clair. Jeanette and Wilfred raised seven children in a home they built in China Twp. Wilfred preceded Jeanette in death on January 30, 2014.
Jeanette’s family and friends will remember her incredible talent for baking. A talent she often shared with her family and her Church. Breads, pies and cookies were the mainstay of holidays and parish fundraisers, not to mention filling the bellies of grand and great grandchildren. She was always sharing her other talents of sewing, knitting, and crocheting. Jeanette loved spending time with her entire family. Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter were highlights of the annual calendar.
Her deep faith was the source of her strength and an example to her family and those around her.
Jeanette was a lifetime member of Holy Cross Catholic Church, Our Lady on the River Parish, Marine City. She was very active in her parish and was a longtime member of the Rosary Altar Society and Daughters of Isabella, St. Agatha Circle 419.
She is survived by her children; Richard (Kay) Osterland, Robert Osterland, Larry (Pam) Osterland, Jerry (Mary) Osterland, Raymond Osterland, Anne (Hale) Walker and Mary Jo (Alan) MacDonald, along with 21 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren.
She is also survived by brothers and sister in-laws; William Osterland, Donald Osterland, Ruth Fessenden, Bernard (Tracy) Osterland, Ray Keller and Pat Patterson and many nieces, nephews.
She was preceded in death by her daughter in-law; Joy Osterland, her sisters; Mary Lou Keller, Norene Distelrath, and Margaret Patterson and her brothers; Victor, Herbert, Norman, Leo, Gerald, Harold, Charles, Albert and Joseph Distelrath.
Funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 2 at Holy Cross Catholic Church, Our Lady on the River Parish, Marine City. Interment to follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, St. Clair. Visiting hours will be Monday from 2:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Young Funeral Home, China Twp. and Tuesday at church one hour prior to mass. Rosary will be 7:00 p.m. Monday evening.
Memorials may be made to Blue Water Hospice or Capuchin Fathers. To leave the family a message of comfort please visit: www.youngcolonial.com
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