Marie O. Ostrem

Marie (Tarum) Ostrem passed away in her home in Shelby on Dec 12, 2018.  Marie Olive Overby was born January 12, 1929 in Somers MT to Mentz and Olga (Lee) Overby.  In high school, she and her friends raised enough money to build the first cabin at Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp.  After a year at Pacific Lutheran University, she came to Northeastern Montana in 1948 and taught at the Sunnyside School near Larslan.  She married Francis Tarum in June 1949.

She was active at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church south of Richland and served as organist for over 25 years.  When Francis died in 1972, she turned operation of the farm to Marvin and Dale and she went back to college.  After finishing her degree from Northern Montana College, she taught at North Harlem Hutterite Colony School for three years.  In 1981, she married Howard Ostrem and moved to Shelby.  Howard died in 1988.

Marie was active at St Luke’s Lutheran Church, serving on various boards, and playing organ for several years.  She was also active in the community, serving on the board of directors for Crossroads Housing Association.  While at the Heritage Center, she brought smiles to everyone with her collection of frogs (ceramic, stone, jewelry) and a reminder to Forever Rely On God (F.R.O.G).  She loved flowers and birds.

Marie is survived by her sons, Arden (Erin) Tarum of Portland, OR, Marvin (Deborah) Tarum of Fort Peck, Dale (Brenda) Tarum of Fort Peck, and Carl (Rebecca) Tarum of Saginaw, MI; grandchildren Brent (Jennifer) Tarum, Tyler (Krista) Tarum, Angela (BJ) Kemp, Zachary (BethAnne) Tarum, Chrissa (Jayson) Nelson, Tieg Tarum, Holly (Chris) DeCock, Nathan Tarum; great-grandchildren, Chase Tarum, Leslie Tarum, Josie and Jaxson Kemp, Jackie and Zane Tarum, Cameron, Austin, and Cora Nelson; her brothers, Glenn (Mavis) Overby of Devils Lake, ND and Neil (Carol) Overby of Blaine, MN; brother-in-law, Melvin Tarum of McPherson, KS; sisters-in-law, Rosalie Tarum of Great Falls and Elinor Stensland of Great Falls; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Marie was preceded by her brother, Erwin; sisters-in- law, Lucile Overby, Erma Overby, and Eunice Tarum; brothers-in-law, Gail Stensland and Clarence Tarum.

Services are planned for January 9, 2019 at 10:30 AM at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Shelby. Burial will be held January 11, 2019 in the Highland Cemetery in Glasgow.

Memorials can be sent to Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp in Lakeside, Marias Medical Center Hospital or Heritage Center in Shelby, or Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital in Glasgow.