Leander Joseph Ostendorf

Chief Master Sergeant Leander (Lee) J. Ostendorf, USAF (Ret), 91, of
Tempe, AZ, a proud 30 year and 26 day Air Force veteran, passed away peacefully on Friday,
September 2, 2022. Lee was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, son,
brother, cousin, uncle, and friend.

Lee was born in Ward Springs, MN on August 15, 1931 as one of 15 children born to Mathilda
and Bernard Ostendorf. He was preceded in death by his beautiful wife, Norma, of 48 years
(September 27, 2003). He is survived by his five children and their families to include 15
grandchildren and 14 greatgrandchildren. Surviving Lee are Gail (Joaquin) Solorio; Linda
(James) Puhek; Roxane (Philip) Snider; Larry (Margaret) Ostendorf; Gary (Erin) Ostendorf;
grandchildren Tera, Leah (Josh), Lara (Ryan), Daniel (Betsey), Jamie (Danny), Carlee (Jace),
Cole (Kassie), Jeffrey, Kevin, Hannah, Nicole, Cort, Jonathan, Rowan, and Gavin; great-
grandchildren Thadddeus, Terryn, Tanner, Tayden, Ashton, Kennedy, Cody, Jaxson, Abigail,
Tobias, Jordan, Theodore, Kyson, and Avery.

During his Air Force career, Lee saw duty all over the world and the United States. He served in
Okinawa, France, Thailand, West Pakistan, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Texas, Arizona, Colorado,
Ohio, and North Dakota. He loved living in Arizona best!

Lee was a compassionate, kind, and humble leader who valued and embodied service before
self, honor, integrity, and most of all his family and faith. These values guided him throughout
his life and he was highly respected by all. He was devoted to his family and was a generous
and good man! Lee enjoyed being a Mr. “fix-it” (he really loved playing in cement!), going to the
casino, and spending time playing with his grandchildren and animals.

Dad, we love and miss you! We will cherish all the memories of our family--until
we meet again.

At the request of the family, donations in memory of Leander J. Ostendorf can be made to
“Nativity Catholic Church - Operation Starfish.” These gifts will be used to build houses in Haiti
for those in desperate need of shelter. Gifts can be sent to Nativity Catholic Church, 6400
Nativity Lane, Burke, VA 22015. Be sure to include ‘In Memory of Leander J. Ostendorf’ on the
check. You can also go online at nativityburke.org. Donations can also be made to the American Cancer Society.