Betty Jean Ostrum

Betty Jean Ostrum, age 85, Mt. Carroll, Illinois, died Sunday, October 5, 2008 at FHN Memorial Hospital, Freeport, Illinois. A Memorial Service will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 1, 2008 at Frank-Law-Jones Funeral Home with Pastor Mike Majeski of New Hope Assembly of God Church, Platteville, Wisconsin, officiating. Friends may call from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 1, 2008 at the Funeral Home, Mt. Carroll. A Memorial may be given in Betty’s name to Paralyzed Veterans of America (801 18th Street NW, Washington D.C. 20008-3517).Betty Jean was born on November 21, 1922, in Racine, Wisconsin, the daughter of Carmel Amos and Reba (Jordan) Davis. She graduated from Hyde Park High School, Chicago, Illinois, class of 1941. Betty Jean went on to attend Stephens College, Columbia, Missouri, Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and Traphagen School of Design, New York, New York. While living in the New York City area, she met Paul Ostrum, serving in the Navy. They were married on November 21, 1944 in Montclair, New Jersey. Paul passed away, July 24, 2008. Betty Jean and Paul shared a sense of adventure, so they bought and packed up to manage Alpine Lodge, in Westcliffe, Colorado for a summer, before returning to Montclair, and soon thereafter, to the Chicago area. They eventually fulfilled their dream of owning a farm when they purchased Hidden Valley Farm near Massbach, Illinois, in 1959. Betty Jean thoroughly loved raising her children, being a homemaker, overseeing her beautiful flower garden every year, and volunteering in the community. Her passion was decorating, whether inside or outside her own home or for various organizations and events. Betty Jean was a gracious lady, giving, and kind to all. Betty Jean will be dearly missed by a daughter, Susan Ostrum of Platteville, Wisconsin, and a son Davis (Susan) of Mt. Carroll, and two grandchildren, Clay and Colt. She is preceded in death by her parents and husband, Paul.