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One of my favorite parts of the annual Old Mission “Patriotic Walk Around the Block” (we don’t call it a parade) is seeing Jerry Ostlund riding in his golf cart decked out in beautiful patriotic gear. In 2022, he was honored as the Grand Marshal of the Walk. I’m so glad I saw him at this year’s Walk, because just a few weeks later, he would pass away peacefully, surrounded by his family.
Jerry was the penultimate storyteller, cheerfully sharing tales of the Old Mission Peninsula with anyone fortunate enough to be in his company. He was also the Peninsula’s “oldest native,” a title he was so proud to call his own, and the guardian of the Michigan State Champion American chestnut tree, a giant living landmark planted on his land in the 1800s as part of early homestead efforts on the Peninsula.
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He loved talking with kids about the tree each year as they helped Tom Dalluge and his crew work to preserve the American chestnut trees. Tom writes this about his friend and chestnut tree supporter:
“RIP Jerry Ostlund, there was no bigger supporter of the American chestnut. I first met Jerry about six years ago. I asked him to tell me about his chestnut, and his love for the tree was evident. He told me stories of his father sending him up into the branches to shake the tree in fall to hasten the bur drop. Last year when we placed catch nets under the Ostlund tree, he watched, smiled and told us our revolutionary idea was nothing new. His father had erected canvas on poles when he was young to do precisely what we were doing.
“Jerry was a wonderful man to our chestnut preservation group. A visit to his house never finished without him expressing his sincere appreciation for the work we were doing. I last visited him two weeks ago yesterday as we were hand pollinating his tree. We had discovered a second smaller tree — “Ostlund 2” — last year. It was tall and mature enough to flower but had not.
I asked Jerry if he would mind if we removed an oak, sumac and pine tree that were limiting the young tree’s sun exposure. Jerry looked at me and said, ‘Just do it. You know I trust you guys to do the right thing for my tree.’ That was Jerry, the ultimate partner for us in preserving the American chestnut.
“Every year he wanted to know what ‘we’ were going to do that year. He was thrilled two weeks ago to hear that pollen from his tree would be used next year to fertilize other Long Surviving Americans. But it was during our annual Crackin Day educational event each October that Jerry shined. He welcomed the 20 fifth graders onto his ample sunporch and told them stories of his tree, of life with it, of his time spent with Minnie Rushmore in the Dougherty Mission House. He was a direct link to the heritage and legacy of the Old Mission Peninsula. The visit to Jerry’s porch was always the highlight of the day. Our community is richer for the life of Jerry Ostlund.” – Tom Dalluge
We will all miss Jerry, a true Old Mission Peninsula treasure. After I lost Tim, Jerry, who lost his wife Helen in 1991, said to me, “You don’t really get over it, but you learn to live with it. It’s been 30 years for me, and sometimes it’s still hard to get out of bed in the morning.” It’s only been four years for me, and I am certainly finding that to be true.
Here is a tribute that Jerry’s family sent along to be published in the Gazette. Godspeed, Jerry. I will miss seeing you on that golf cart and miss hearing your stories of our beloved homeland.
In Loving Memory of Jerry Ostlund
Nov. 17, 1939 – July 24, 2026
Jerry Ostlund, lovingly known to so many as Papa Hush, passed away peacefully from pulmonary fibrosis on July 24, 2026, at the age of 86. He was surrounded by his three devoted daughters, who remained by his side until the very end.
Born on November 17th, 1939, Jerry grew up on a cherry farm in Michigan’s Old Mission Peninsula. He often reminded people that he was the oldest Peninsula native. It wasn’t simply a title, but a badge of honor he wore proudly. He loved the place where he grew up and spent his life sharing its beauty, history, and traditions with anyone fortunate enough to visit.
He moved to Chicago as a young adult and worked for the Chicago Northwestern Railroad System for 40 years. He met his beloved wife, Helen, on a blind date and they married in 1970, before settling in Wheaton, Illinois to raise three daughters. Together they built a partnership filled with laughter, devotion, and unwavering love that lasted until Helen’s passing in 1991.
The last ten years of his career was spent in St. Louis, before retiring up to his boyhood home on Old Mission Peninsula in Traverse City, Michigan. He spent his time socializing with lifelong friends, volunteering as a park commissioner, being active at his parish, and serving as a bereavement counselor through the Beginning Experience program.
Jerry possessed a rare gift of storytelling, a love for food, and an incredible sense of humor. You felt lucky to be a guest at his table. Every story entertained, while teaching lessons about love, family, perseverance, gratitude, and finding humor in almost anything.
Jerry is survived by his three daughters, Heidi Glover (Charlie) of West Plains, MO; Holly Ostlund of Lawrence, KS; Heather Klefisch of St. Louis, MO, his five grandchildren, Ian Washington (Jenna), Evan Washington (Madison), Eric Washington (Emilee), Olivia Bach (Thomas), Sophia Ostlund, and his two great-grandchildren, Calihan and Lilian Bach.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Helen Becker Ostlund, his parents, Frank and Dana Ostlund, his brother, Miller Unruh, his nieces, Monica and Donna Unruh, and his grandson, Jason Klefisch, whom he never stopped loving or remembering.
A funeral Mass will be held at St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Old Mission on Saturday, August 8th, 2026 at 10 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family invites everyone to honor Jerry in a way he would have appreciated most: gather around a table with those you love, enjoy a wonderful meal, or tell a great story, preferably one that gets a little better each time it’s told. He will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever celebrated.
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Thank you for the beautiful tribute to my dad, Jerry Ostlund.
Thank you, Jane and Tom for this wonderful write up about my dad!
Jerry was a wonderful, respected man here in the village of Old Mission. Great stories and always kind and caring. He loved Old Mission and its history. It is a big loss to lose him. To know him was to love him. Thank you, family and Jane for the write-up.
Jerry – he was one of a kind. Always smiling and had a kind word or two when he saw me at the Market. I was fortunate to know him. Rest in peace! He will be missed.