Donavan Oster, 91, died Sunday, December 12, 2010 at Sanford Medical Center, Thief River Falls, MN.

Funeral will be 2 PM, Wednesday, December 15, 2010 at Johnson Funeral Service, Red Lake Falls, MN with visitation one hour prior to the service.

Donavan D. Oster was born April 30, 1919 son of the late Frank and Alice (Childs) Oster at Deering, ND eldest of 9 children where the family farmed. He attended school in Granville and graduated in 1939. Donavan moved into town and worked for rent and food. He went to the CC Camp and from there was drafted into the US Army Infantry 164th out of Valley City, ND and served in the Pacific Theater. He was awarded the bronze star. Following his honorable discharge on June 7, 1945 he moved to Fargo, ND.

Donavan was united in marriage to Joyce Hanson in Moorhead, MN November 30, 1946. Don worked at the Fargo foundry and later joined the US Postal Service working on the railway mail line for 20 years and then in the post office in Fargo. He had many part time jobs including putting up grain bins, moving furniture, landscaping and owned his own insulating business that his son Tim worked with him until he entered the US Marines. Don retired in 1978 and moved to Mesa, AZ where he was janitor for the housing complex that he and Joyce lived in and also at the church for many years.

Don took part in reunions for his army regiment for many years. He was always a patient man good neighbor to those in need and enjoyed a good game of golf or cards. He was Pres of the postal union, workers advocate and Pres of NARFE and Chaplin and held other offices in the American Legion and life member of the VFW and also a member of the Moose Lodge and 40&8.

He is survived by his children Linda (Terry) Nelson of Red Lake Falls, MN, and Timothy (Pam) Oster of Pottsboro, TX: grandchildren Brian (Joan) Nelson of Maple Grove, MN, Elizabeth (Brian) Keller of Red Lake Falls, MN, Kristina (Chris) Woods of Jenks, OK. 6 great grandchildren Samantha, Hailey and Brandon Keller, Allison Nelson and Ashley and Kate Woods; one brother Tom (Marlene) Oster of Bottineau, ND and one sister Betty (Joe) Lundberg of Gold Canyon, AZ.

Don is preceded in death by his parents, Wife Joyce on February 26, 2005, brothers Melvin, David, Rex and Henry and sisters Erma McFarland and Mildred Haugrose and one great grandson Connor Woods.

Donavan Oster died Sunday, December 12, 2010 at Sanford Medical Center, Thief River Falls, MN at the age of 91 years, 7 months and 12 days. May his memory be blessed.