Derrick Edward Ostlie

Derrick Edward Ostlie, 40 yo, died May 30, 2025 at home from a glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer. He was diagnosed in Jan. 2023, when he was working as a cybersecurity specialist for the DoD at Dahlgren Naval Base, VA on Chesapeake Bay. Following his diagnosis, he moved back to his parent's home in Shoreview to enjoy his remaining time with family and friends. He was treated at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.
Derrick is survived by his mother and father, Norma Steadham Ostlie and Kenneth Roy Ostlie, an estranged sister, 12 aunts and uncles, 16 cousins, and 13 of their children. He valued family, enjoyed family gatherings as he faced this medical crisis, and visited cousins and their families repeatedly until his death.
A member of Roseville Lutheran Church since his baptism in 1985, Derrick especially enjoyed the community of faith following his return and was active in the church: participating in the pastor's bible study, assisting with worship activities (reader, usher, and communion), enjoying Men's Club, and providing advice on IT issues. He was noted for the faith and grace he showed in the face of his illness. He did not let anger, depression or fear crowd his remaining days and served as an inspiration to others.
Derrick faced numerous challenges throughout his life, especially his ADHD. As an active and alert child, he soaked up school resources on both the gifted and remedial (reading) ends of the spectrum and was a kinesthetic learner. While school could be a challenge, he adapted and succeeded in academics. Derrick was bright and inquisitive, enjoying science, nature, math, and IT. During high school he organized LAN gaming parties among his friends and even earned his Microsoft certification. He was well coordinated and enjoyed playing sports, particularly soccer and swimming. He had perfect pitch, playing both violin and viola in the Mounds View Orchestra.
Boy scouts figured prominently throughout his youth. Derrick's participation grew out of his outdoors and camping interests. He was active in cub scouts, webelos and boy scouts, earning the Eagle Scout rank his senior year. Notably, he hosted a Valentine's Party for the Roseville Senior Citizen's Center for his Eagle project. This party featured music (a Mounds View Orchestra quartet, a singing ensemble), a Valentine remembrance tree, old-time radio show, companion- animal demonstrations, and plenty of homemade cookies and punch, plus much appreciated social engagement for seniors. As a Senior Patrol Leader, Derrick led a 110-mile backpacking trip through Philmont Scout Reservation near Cimarron, New Mexico. Derrick was noted for his patience and leadership with younger scouts in teaching scouting, camping, sailing, and swimming skills. He attended summer camp every summer, even as an adult leader in the Troop.
As he graduated from high school, Derrick parlayed these scout experiences into positions as a lifeguard at the Shoreview Community Center and Tomahawk Scout Reservation, an EMT, and eventually his induction into the US Army Reserve in Aug. 4, 2004. Derrick's specializations were combat Medic and Nurse 1 with his training at Fort Sam Houston - Brooks Medical Center in San Antonio, TX and at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, DC. His initial military placement was with the 452nd Combat Support Hospital with the US Army Reserve at Fort Snelling, MN where he achieved the rank of PFC (E3). Building on his skills, he re-enlisted with the 934th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron in the US Air Force Reserve, Fort Snelling, MN as a flight medic on Oct. 12, 2006. Achieving the rank of Aerospace Medical Service Journeyman (E5), he also added cybersecurity specialist to his training and role within the squadron. During his time in the US AFR, he was deployed to Qatar in Jan – Feb 2012 where his crew gathered wounded from Iraq and Afghanistan back to Qatar for transport back to the US or Germany. Later that year he was honorably discharged when his enlistment ended (Oct. 11, 2012). His declarations, medals, citations and campaign ribbons include: AF Outstanding Unit Award, Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal w/ 1 star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon, Air Force Longevity Medal, and Army Service Ribbon.
During his years in the Army and Air Force Reserves, Derrick took advantage of the GI Bill educational benefits to earn his AS in Nursing and AA at Century College in 2006. He was inducted into the honor society Phi Beta Kappa. He served as Director of Enhanced Membership and recognized as a 5-star enhanced member in 2007. He was certified as an RN in 2006 and began working as a home-care RN for various agencies for 5 years. While he was noted for his nursing skills, gentle touch and ability to interact with patients, he discovered that patient interaction was more draining than he anticipated and sought a career change. So, he began an ecology degree in the College of Natural Resources at the University of Minnesota. However, before he completed his degree, a different opportunity presented itself. He received a scholarship to pursue a cybersecurity degree which began with a Associate of Applied Science degree in Enterprise Computing Technology from Century College and ended with B.S. degree in Cybersecurity from St. Cloud State University in 2021. As a condition of his scholarship, he began job in public service as a cybersecurity specialist for the DoD at Dahlgren Naval Base, VA on Chesapeake Bay.
Derrick had an adventurous spirit with world travel. As a student nurse, he participated in an exchange program with Chinese nurses. Not only did he teach CPR to Chinese nurses and learn about herbal medicine, but he walked the Great Wall of China and viewed terra cotta soldiers from the Chin Dynasty. After his first year at the U of M, Derrick backpacked across England and western Europe for the summer including a trip to visit ancestral Scandinavian roots where he kayaked fjords and toured the archeological treasure of Sweden, the Vasa. Before an ecology internship in Central America, Derrick experienced the Galapagos Islands on a research ship where he snorkeled and swam with the Galapagos sea turtles and enjoyed watching the behavior of blue-footed boobies. As a ecology research intern in Central America studying global warming impacts on conifers, he conducted research in both Honduras and Costa Rica. When diagnosed with cancer, Derrick's bucket list included trips to Hawaii and a return trip to Scandinavia via Iceland with friends with a repeat tour of the Vasa. Finally, he visited the Florida Keys with his parents complete with a floatplane flight, open water fishing, fresh sea food, fruit drinks, sand beaches, and historical B&Bs.
Post-diagnosis, Derrick lived a fulfilling life. He encouraged us not to be sad, but live in the moment so he could draw support from the people around him.
A Celebration of Derrick's Life will take place 11am Saturday, June 28 at Roseville Lutheran Church, 1215 Roselawn Ave., Roseville with visitation beginning at 10am. Burial with Military Honors will take place 10am Tuesday, July 29 at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, please arrive 15 minutes early to Assembly Area #2.
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