Funeral homes often submit obituaries as a service to the families they are assisting. However, we will be happy to accept obituaries from family members pending proper verification of the death.
Mary Valentine Oostenburg passed away Aug. 13, 2009, at the Oregon Health and Science University Hospital in Portland, Ore.
A service to celebrate Mary’s life and mourn her passing is planned for 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26, at Anderson’s Tribute Center. There will be a time for family and friends to view as well as a time of fellowship following her service.
Mary was born Nov. 1, 1945, in Braddock, Pa., to John and Mary Margaret (Humbert) Mihailov. She moved with her family to Mesa, Ariz., where she attended school.
In 1967 Mary moved to Hood River, Ore. In 1978 she met Bill Oostenburg and on June 6, 1980, they wed. They lived out on Eastside Road in Hood River until moving to Mesa and Apache Junction, Ariz., in 1987 and then moved to The Dalles, Ore., in 1996.
Mary was a “Jill-of-all-trades,” working in a number of different capacities throughout the years from cooking at the Hood River Charburger, decorating and making cakes to working at the old True Value Hardware store (where Walgreen’s is now located). She was a tremendous cook.
Mary loved her cats and would always find money to donate to any animal charity.
Mary and Bill enjoyed spending time together in their 1955 Chevy, from the outings with their car clubs in Oregon and Arizona to just driving around the Gorge.
Another favorite pastime was shopping, and she would joke and say she was addicted to shopping.
Mary is survived and will be dearly missed by her husband, Bill Oostenburg, of their home in The Dalles; her father, John Mihailov (and Grace), of Mesa, Ariz.; brother, William “Mr. Bill” Mihailov (and Amy), of Apache Junction, Ariz.; two sons, John Laughlin and Ron Laughlin and their children, Lincoln and Amanda.
She is also survived by Bill’s family: his two children, Bill Oostenburg Jr. and Shelley Scharte, and their children; Ashley, Matthew, Daniel, Jacob and Aaron; mother-in-law, Evelyn Oostenburg and sister-in-law, Elizabeth Simpson (and her husband, Henning Semsdorf).
She was preceded in death by her mother, Mary Margaret Mihailov.
In memory of Mary memorials can be made to your favorite animal charity in her name and sent in care of Anderson’s Tribute Center.
Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson’s Tribute Center (Funerals, Receptions, Cremations), 1401 Belmont Ave., Hood River, OR 97031; 541-386-1000. Please visit www.andersonstributecenter.com to sign the family guest book.
To plant a tree in memory of Mary Oostenburg as a living tribute, please visit Tribute Store.
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