Dean Ostrander

Dean Ostrander age 81 of Broken Bow passed away Saturday March 18, 2023 at the Quality Living in Broken Bow.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday March 22, 2023 at 10:30 at the Berean Bible Church, 2419 Memorial Dr. in Broken Bow, NE with Pastor Larry DeMoss officiating.  Burial will be in the Broken Bow Cemetery.  A visitation will be held on Tuesday March 21, 2023 at 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at Govier Brother’s Mortuary.  The family will greet friends at a visitation Tuesday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at the Berean Bible Church.

Memorials are suggested to the Berean Bible Church.  An online guestbook can be signed at www.govierbrothers.com. 

Dean Ostrander was born to Lee and Eila (Heigh) Ostrander on August 2, 1941, in their home, oldest of 3 children. He met Marian Heath at Cody High School. After 4 years of dating, they were married on September 25,1961 in Cody Nebraska at the Methodist Church. They had three children Deanna, Mark, and Cary.

Dean worked in farming/agriculture all his life. He was very creative when times were tough with their dairy, and made ends meet with hunting and trapping. The family moved to Broken Bow, Nebraska in 1979. Dean found his calling helping youth accept God as their Lord and Savior. In 1984 he founded Merritt Youth Retreat. Attendance started small and grew to 120+ youth over the years and is on-going. He was known for his famous hot chocolate. In April 2006 Dean developed and started a shooting complex that would eventually be called Powder Creek Sports at Camp Maranatha. Where he taught youth to shoot trap and sporting clays. Eventually this grew to holding meets and is still on-going. Dean also took his equipment to Camp Witness near Long Pine, Nebraska, and other locations.

He loved helping youth in their spiritual paths; through Awana, Sunday School, missionary work, youth retreat and Maranatha Bible Camp. Dean was a strong Christian who had a passion for our Lord Jesus Christ. He made an impact on countless lives. Dean was a beloved father and grandfather. The Lord called Dean home on March 18, 2023. He will be greatly missed by his family and many, many others.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents Lee and Eila Ostrander, his brothers David Ostrander and Larry Ostrander, and his wife Marian Ostrander.

He is survived by his daughter, Deanna Muellner (Tom), sons Mark Ostrander and Cary Ostrander, his grandchildren, Kyle Courtney (Ronna), Leah Boone (Derek), Shannon Cruise (Jeremy), Andrew Ostrander (Amy), Rachel Kursave (Tehl), Valerie Selko (Jason), Darrin Ostrander, Brittany Schmitt (Tim), Cory Ostrander (Courtney), Megan Ostrander (fiancé Logan), and 21 great grandchildren.