Zell Ostermiller

Zerelda (Zell) Elizabeth Mackey, one of four children, was born to Howard and Dorothy Mackey in San Diego, CA. They moved to Boulder City, NV, during the Great Depression, as her father worked on Hoover Dam as a mechanic. Upon completion, they returned to California and lived in El Cerrito where she attended high school.
In 1945, while working for the USPO on Treasure Island, she met Leo G. Ostermiller. As a just returned POW, he and some buddies were invited to one of the Mackey's home-cooked meals they often provided soldiers. They married a year later at New Plymouth, ID, and moved to Newman Lake, WA, while Leo was being discharged from the US Marine Corps at Farragut, ID. That was her first experience of living without running water or electricity, and so began an odyssey that plucked her out of a protected family environment and changed her life forever. Their daughter, Katherine, was born 1947 in Spokane, followed two years later by their son, Jerry, in Ontario, OR. They moved 17 different times, looking for post-war work and doing some farming before permanently settling down in Boise in 1958.
Her husband had many war related health issues and eventually became disabled. With no formal education, Zell helped support the family by working for Artis Metals as a self-taught secretary. She then successfully worked her way into a number of jobs with government agencies during her professional career, beginning with the Veteran's Administration and culminating with her retirement from the Bureau of Reclamation.
She was an active member and past president of the National Secretaries Assn., Boise Chapter, a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, and a member of the Eagles Auxiliary. She was a past member of PEO Chapter R, Red Hats, and Assistance League.
As an enthusiastic amateur artist, she enjoyed oil painting and was a member of the Centennial Art Assn. of Boise. Even though she placed several times at the State Fair, she was always amazed when someone wanted to buy her paintings.
One of her greatest joys was traveling in an RV and in 1969 she and her husband purchased their first travel trailer – a Silver Bullet Airstream. They toured Canada and the US, and particularly enjoyed Guadalajara, Mexico, spending four winters there. Together they helped organize the Capitol Gypsies Good Sam Club of Boise and remained active members until Leo's death in 1981.
As a widow, she joined the Treasure Valley Singles Club where she met Glen McDowell. They shared 18 years together and continued to enjoy RV traveling until his illness and passing in 2004.
Ten years ago she reconnected with a long time friend, Doug Hitt, and they thoroughly enjoyed each other's companionship while socializing with Boise friends, as well as traveling and visiting friends and family throughout the West.
Due to her own health issues, she moved to independent living at Bonaventure, now known as MorningStar, in 2010. In spite of chronic pain and severe hearing loss, she was very active socially and as a volunteer and made many friends there. She managed the extensive library for several years and enjoyed the educational and party outings a great deal, right up to her passing. She was known for her enthusiasm, her matching earrings to her outfits, and starting every day with the bed made and her make-up on!
At 90, with her health declining, she asked to be moved to Spokane to be near family for her remaining days. All preparations were made and after a wonderful send-off by MorningStar, she arrived in Spokane only to peacefully pass away one week later, in her daughter's home, surrounded by family. She just went to sleep.
She is survived by her two children, Kath'ren Bay-Higdon and her wife, Alexis Bay-Higdon of Spokane, WA; Jerry Ostermiller and his wife, Lynne Johnson of Astoria, OR. She had three grandchildren, Ninya Faith Ostermiller who passed away in 1971, Leora (Lechot) Gendreau (husband Craig) of Spokane, and Rob Lechot, (wife Stacie) of Post Falls, ID,
Mom was blessed with five great grandchildren – Maddie and Jake Gendreau, Spokane; Robb, Logan, and Alexis Lechot, Coeur d'Alene, ID; step granddaughter, Jess Trumbich (husband Brett), and their three children, Jaeson, Carter, and Scarlett, in Tacoma.
She is, also, survived by two brothers, Howard Mackey El Cerrito, CA (wife Barbara passed away 2013); Jack Mackey and Shirley of Boulder City, NV; sister Ailene Orlando and husband, Joe, of Waltham, MA; and numerous nieces, nephews, in-laws and out-laws. Lastly, but certainly not least, she is survived by her dearest friend and companion of many years, Douglas Hitt of Cascade, ID.
Mom did not want a formal funeral service, but did say that if the family wanted to do something, it was fine with her as long as it was a celebration of her life. Wonderfully, Morningstar's outstanding send-off party and the family's gathering party welcoming her to Spokane gave us the opportunity to do just that - celebrate her life - while she was with us. As hard as it was to leave her Boise life behind, both events made her extremely happy before her sudden passing, just days later. At her request, her ashes will be interred with those of her husband at the Idaho State Veteran's Cemetery in Boise, ID.
There is so much more one can say about her life on this earth - how is the value of a lifetime condensed for an obituary? Some would say to look at what she left behind - not much in typical riches, to be sure. But the love and devotion of her children and grandchildren, of her many friends and of her devoted loves speaks volumes. She raised two strong, successful people, who are both in healthy and loving relationships. Much of who she was is found in them and in their children, and in their children. We're a strong, resilient, loving family. She did well.
On her 81st birthday, the following story appeared in "The Idaho Statesman", which she displayed proudly in her office. Nothing better could capture her spirit than this. Those of you who knew her will enjoy this reverie:

Do You Know This Woman?

This is our Mom. She turned 81 yesterday. She's outlived two life loves and recently snagged herself one heck of a wonderful beau, proving you're never too old and it's never too late. Mom has had what some consider a hard life. She's faced challenges that can break spirit or build character. She's chosen character. We've seen her courage rise in the worst of circumstances. We've watched her find the good when no one else could. She's taught us that poor doesn't mean dirty, doing the right thing is the right thing, making-do can be fun, and that, no matter what we've done in our stupidity, we are loved.
Perfect? Hardly. Her cooking is inconsistent ("Must be the oven."), she cannot pass a garage sale, she'll never pay full price for anything, and she cut down our tree. On balance, though, her enthusiasm and delight with life is a wonderment to us all – we just love her so much. Happy Birthday, Mom. May there be many more.

Obituary written by Zell, Kathy, and Jerry.