James H. Ostergaard

James Henry Ostergaard, 79, of Winona, MN, died Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at Benedictine – St. Anne in Winona, MN, secondary to a longstanding battle with Multiple Sclerosis for which he was diagnosed in 1994.

He was born September 25, 1945, in Devils Lake, ND to James A. Ostergaard and Viola G. (Violet) Ostergaard. He married Nancy L. Ostergaard on December 12, 1970. James moved to Winona with his family in 1988 from Chicago, IL and previously Duluth, MN.

He is an army veteran having been drafted for service in the Vietnam War in 1970. James was a member of the Airborne Forces and was awarded the bronze star for heroic service in a combat zone. He continued as an army reservist through Fort Sheridan in Illinois until he retired in 2005.

James graduated with a chemistry major from Minot State North Dakota, as well as an accounting and business degree from Winona State University. He was a teacher through Riverland Technical College and owner of his own accounting business.

James was a member of the Basilica of St. Stanislaus Kostka, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and American Legion.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy, of Winona; four children, James Ostergaard of Burnsville, MN, Daniel Ostergaard of Yardley, PA, Jennifer Ostergaard of Keystone, CO, and Jeffrey Ostergaard of Orlando, FL; 11 grandchildren, Lauren Beaton, Andrew Ostergaard, Anna Glowdowski, Russell Ostergaard, Sophia Ostergaard, Vivian Ostergaard, Jordyn Ostergaard, Jonathan Ostergaard, Jacob Ostergaard, Julia Ostergaard, and Jillian Ostergaard; three great grandchildren: Chloe Beaton, William Ostergaard, and Sam Ostergaard; and his sisters: Alice and Cathy Ostergaard.

The recitation of the Most Holy Rosary will be held at 4:30 PM on Friday, March 21, 2025, at the Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home, with visitation following the rosary until 7:30 PM.

Visitation will also be held at the Basilica of St. Stanislaus Kostka on Saturday, March 22, 2025, from 10 AM until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM.

Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery, St. Charles, MN, where the American Legion Leon J. Wetzel Post 9 of Winona will provide military honors.

Following the burial, a reception will be held at the Winona VFW Club on Saturday, March 22, 2025, from 2:30 PM until 5:30 PM.

Pallbearers will be: Jeffrey Ostergaard, James Ostergaard, Curtis Cichanowski, Stephen Cichanowski, Glen Rudolph, and Fred Rudolph.

The family suggests that memorials be directed to the Basilica of St. Stanislaus Kostka.

Online condolences or memories may be left for James’ family at www.watkowski-mulyck.com.