Kenneth Alvin Felix Osterlund

Kenneth Alvin Felix Osterlund, 88, passed peacefully on April 13, 2026, in Vienna, Virginia, surrounded by his loving family.

Born on April 9, 1938, in the Bronx, New York, Ken was the son of the late Edith A. and Felix Osterlund. He spent his formative years in Ramsey, New Jersey, where he built the foundation of a life defined by dedication, service, and deep devotion to family and community.

Ken earned his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 1959, followed by a Master of Science in Mathematics from the same institution in 1967. During his youth, he was actively involved in DeMolay, later becoming a Mason, and was a devoted member of the Lutheran Church, where he served as President of Luther League, his church’s youth group.

In 1960, Ken married the love of his life, Carol Lee Douglass, beginning a marriage that would span more than six decades. After graduation, he began his career in the aerospace industry and moved his family to Vienna, Virginia in 1970 to work for United States Research Engineering United States Postal Service. He later dedicated forty years of service to the United States Postal Service before retiring in 2013.

Ken was a man of quiet generosity and steady commitment. He gave freely of his time, teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, and coaching girls’ soccer for many years—an endeavor inspired by his daughters. He was a volunteer at heart, always seeking ways to strengthen his community and support those around him.

A proud Swede, Ken fulfilled a lifelong dream in 2005 when he traveled to Sweden, meeting relatives and exploring his father’s homeland—a journey he cherished as the trip of a lifetime.

In retirement, Ken remained deeply engaged in his community, contributing to organizations dedicated to the betterment of his hometown. He found his greatest joy in time spent with family—especially his grandchildren—and in creating lasting memories through beach vacations and travels across the United States.

Ken is survived by his beloved wife, Carol Lee Osterlund; his daughters, Heather Ann Osterlund Gaillard and her husband Mark, and Leigh Grace Osterlund Swartzel and her husband Jody; his cherished grandchildren, John, Jenna, Anders, and Hollynn; and his brother, Ronald E. Osterlund.

He will be remembered for his kindness, integrity, and unwavering love for his family. His legacy lives on in the lives he touched and the values he instilled. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.