Marcia Ann Ostyn

Marcia Ann Ostyn, 82, of Nampa, died peacefully at her home on September 5, 2026. Funeral services will be held at 11AM on Friday, September 18th, at Nampa Funeral Home, 415 12th Ave.S. in Nampa. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, South Powerline Rd., Nampa. A meal will then be served at Lutheran Brethren Church Fellowship Hall, 730 W. Roosevelt Ave.,Nampa. 

Marcia Ann Ostyn was born on June 21st, 1944 in Nampa, Idaho. She was the second child born to Thomas and Leona (Geise) O’Brien. Marcia grew up on her family’s small acreages on the outskirts of Nampa, without phones or indoor plumbing, where she enjoyed numerous kittens, a special pet chicken named Henrietta, and a springer spaniel named Lady who was found by the trash man as a puppy and then given to the O’Briens. She attended St. Paul’s Catholic School through 8th grade and graduated from Nampa High School. All the while a certain young man “was just always there.” The following three years Marcia spent at Idaho State University in Pocatello, studying and writing letters. She earned a Dental Hygiene degree just shortly before she returned to Nampa to marry Michael Ostyn on July 31, 1965. Marcia worked for various dentists in Lewiston and Moscow, Idaho, and Vancouver, Washington while Mike pursued and obtained his dental degree. By the time they headed back home to start up their own dental practice on 12th Avenue in Nampa, they had three children in tow, John, Chris, and Jim. Through the 70’s and 80’s Marcia specialized in raising and carpooling their three children to school and numerous activities. She was an active member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church, St. Monica’s Circle, and volunteered at St. Paul’s School; helping with bazaars, fall fairs and dinner auctions. She was the head packer, meal planner and navigator for all of her family’s many northwest road trips and back-country hiking adventures.

She kept the family fed with many delicious canned and baked goods which the kids would walk down to Grandad and Grandma Ostyn’s house: with Jim in the well-used red wagon, Chris pushing and John pulling. Marcia was also a talented seamstress, making a variety of her children’s clothes, including Gunny Sax dresses, lots of pajamas, and a full body E.T. costume for Jim. She encouraged voracious reading by narrating so many James Herriot books aloud on trips in the family’s multiple suburbans.

In her later years, Marcia traveled to no less than seventeen countries, including Israel, England, and Portugal. She continued reading, volunteering, and feeding her family especially with her famous home-made crescent rolls for each holiday gathering. Marcia became an avid quilter and spent many happy hours in her sewing room, creating innumerable treasures for her family and friends. She loved flowers, a hot cup of tea or coffee, and good conversation.

Generosity was a hallmark character trait of Marcia. She was a gifted encourager, a devoted supporter and family cheerleader, and the best giver of her love, time, and service.

Marcia was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and a beloved granddaughter. She is survived by her brother, David O’Brien; her children John and Mary Ostyn, Scott and Chris Dykstra, and Jim and Jennifer Ostyn; 15 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make donations to the charity of your choice.