Allen E. Ost

Allen E. Ost, 70, of Stillwater MN, died on May 26, 2023 after a brief and brave battle with cancer.

Allen was born to Elmer and Gladys Ost and raised in Parkers Prairie on the family dairy farm. He graduated in 1971 and went to the University of Minnesota, earning degrees in Forestry and Mechanical Engineering. 

After high school, Allen spent his summers building silos for Avon Silo Company. This was hard work that necessitated 2 hip replacements in later years, but he looked back on his silo days fondly. After college, Allen worked and lived in Iowa, Atlanta, and Sweden, but ultimately returned to the Twin Cities. In 1990, he began working for Crown Iron Works, and he continued to work there until his recent illness. Allen was the International Director of Technical Sales for Crown, a global organization that designs and manufactures oil-seed processing equipment.

While at Crown, Allen rose to the top in his industry, made close friends around the globe, was responsible for many innovations in his field, traveled extensively, and loved his job. Allen's heart, however, was always in Parkers Prairie. He still co-owned the family farm at the time of his death. He was a donor to the Event Center and the city swimming pool, and subscribed to the local newspaper. He had many friends and relatives in Parkers and took any opportunity to visit.

Although his work defined Allen, it wasn’t the most important thing in his life. That honor went to Mar and Remy, his family. Allen and Mar met in 1989 and married in 2004. Their 30+ years together were filled with many adventures. In 2009 Allen’s greatest accomplishment, Remington, was born. Allen was devoted to his son.

Allen’s hobbies and interests were varied. He recently planted an apple orchard. He made a mile-long hiking trail on his property. He enjoyed tracing Ost family history. He and Remy loved fishing, hiking and anything else that allowed them to spend time together. Allen liked going to the Boundary Waters with his friends and fixing up the farm buildings in Parkers. He made homemade beer and shared it with friends. He built and sold furniture at craft and art shows. Allen was fiercely proud of his hometown in Parkers Prairie, and delighted in planning class reunions with his classmate Grace. Allen could build and fix anything.

Allen is survived by wife Marcella, son Remington, sister Debra (Steve Olsen), brother Gary (Yvonne), sister-in-law Katherine (Milton) Ost, Jeff and Elaine Opacich, Steve Opacich, Tom Opacich, Marilee and Dennis Fearing, many nieces, nephews, and cousins.  Allen was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Gladys and brother Milton.

A funeral will be held in Parkers Prairie on Friday June 16, 2023 at Immanuel Lutheran at 11am with visitation one hour prior. Lunch and burial will follow.

A service will also be held on Tuesday June 6, 2023 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Stillwater at 11:00 am with visitation one hour prior.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to Parkers Prairie Dollars for Scholars (parkersprairie.dollarsforscholars.org) would be appreciated.