Sept. 29, 1946 – Feb. 7, 2026

Karen Ostash – a faithful woman focused on family and community – peacefully passed from complications due to cancer on Feb. 7 surrounded by family in Los Angeles.

She was born Sept. 29, 1946 in St. Charles, Illinois. Always focused on family, church and school events, Karen developed into an accomplished scholar, musician and all-around talent. Upon her graduation from Illinois Wesleyan with her B.S.N. in 1968 she adventured out to sunny California to work “for just one year” as a registered nurse at LA County Hospital and then return home; except that’s where a very starry-eyed Los Angeles young man asked her on a lunch date. The rest is history!

Karen lived the rest of her impactful life in Glendale and loved living in the Sparr Heights area since 1982. Karen was married to her beloved husband Robert Michael Ostash for 55 years. Together they raised three children in a loving and supportive home. 

Worshipping and singing at First Lutheran Church, playing the piano, living and traveling alongside her husband, visiting grandchildren, reading and contributing to her community were some of her favorite pastimes. During the earlier years she served as Fremont Elementary School PTA president and earned alpha tau delta (nursing fraternity) Woman of the Year. 

Karen is survived by her loving husband Robert Ostash; children: David (Sarah) Ostash, Michael (Melissa) Ostash and Alicen (Chris) Boulais; siblings Christine (John) Adolphi, David (Sharon) Anderson, Paul (Paula) Anderson, Ruth Anderson, and Richard (Carol) Anderson; grandchildren Ian Muse, Kathryn Van Lingen, Aden Ostash, Annalise Ostash, Nolan Shiner, Norah Shiner, Anderson Shiner, Autumn Ostash and Kaila Boulais; nine nieces and nephews; and 13 great nieces and nephews.

Karen is preceded in death by her parents Glenn and Violet (Wilson) Anderson.

A memorial service is planned for Saturday, April 25 at 1:30 p.m. at Forest Lawn, Glendale at Church of the Recessional.