Amy Ostrom Ahlfs, age 62, of Ottertail passed away on Friday, December 26, 2025 at her home. Memorial Services were held on Friday, January 2, 2026, at Karvonen Funeral Home in Wadena, Minnesota. Amy will be laid to rest at Otter Tail Union Cemetery at a later date.

Amy Louise Ostrom was born to James I. and Rosemary (Langenwalter) Ostrom on December 10, 1963, in St. Cloud, Minn. The family later relocated to Wahpeton, N.D. where she grew up playing with her sisters, Jean and Mary, and many cousins. Amy graduated from Wahpeton High School in 1982 as senior class valedictorian. In 1986, following two years at North Dakota State College of Science, Amy graduated with a B.S. in Business Administration from North Dakota State University. After her college graduation, she worked as a bookkeeper for Wahpeton Electric. In 1987, she moved to Seattle, Wash., and worked in customer service at Family Life and again, as a bookkeeper for Wright, Runstad & Co. She returned to the Midwest in 1992 and worked as an insurance agent for Allstate in Hastings and Cottage Grove, MN, before working with and finally purchasing her parents’ agency, Valley Insurance in Wahpeton, N.D.

On a double date with her sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Mark, Amy was introduced to Mike Ahlfs of Ottertail. On February 2, 2002, they were married in Las Vegas, NV. She and “the best man in the world” made their home in Ottertail. She continued to commute to work in Wahpeton, N.D. until she became ill in 2004. She eventually sold Valley Insurance in 2008.

Amy’s selfless devotion to others was evident in her volunteer work in Wahpeton, N.D. with the Chamber of Commerce, Daily News, Richland County Historical Museum, St. John’s Catholic Church, United Way, and other organizations and in 2014, she was named Wahpeton’s Outstanding Citizen of the Year. In the Ottertail, area, Amy’s fundraising and organizational talents were evident in numerous benefits for individuals in need, the annual OtterFest, the annual WOO (Wahpeton, Ottertail, Oakwood) Golf Tournament, and the Mary Garden at St. Edward’s Catholic Church in Henning.

Throughout her life, Amy championed the underdog and, in doing so, inspired her family and others to become the best versions of themselves. She will be remembered for her love of dogs, travel, wildlife, and the water, her generous spirit, and her deep commitment to her family, friends and to the communities she called home.

Amy is survived by her husband: Mike Ahlfs, Ottertail; her sisters: Jean Ostrom Blonigen, Fargo, N.D. and Mary (Mark) Ellenson, Henning; her mother-in-law: Pat Ahlfs, Perham; Mike’s siblings: Tom (Jean) Ahlfs, Ottertail, MN and Mary Rotzien, New York Mills; 10 nieces and nephews: Mattie Ellenson (Jimmy Iken), Taylor (Siri) Blonigen, Jack Blonigen, Sadie Ellenson (Christopher Haugdahl), Megan Ellenson (Matt Potrament), Jessica Anderson (Jared Powell), Jessie (Kyle) Ransom, Anna (Nate) Lucas, Joe (Katie) Ahlfs, and Travis (Maddy) Rotzien; and seven great nieces and nephews: Blain, Bailey, Quinn, Elyse, Louetta, Boden, and Amelia. Amy is survived by countless other family members and a host of friends.

Amy was preceded in death by her parents, James and Rosemary Ostrom; her father-in-law, James Ahlfs; her nephew, Travis Ellenson; her godparents, William Langenwalter and Ann Sheets; among other family members and friends. Also preceding her in death were her beloved dogs: Schatzi, Liberty, and Justice.

In lieu of plants/flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Amy Ostrom Ahlfs for the purpose of Stem Cell Transplant Research to Mayo Clinic, Department of Development, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905 or a donation to the Humane Society of the Lakes, 19665 US 59, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501.

Amy wanted to thank the following individuals for extending her life and for easing her transition to eternal life: doctors and staff of Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn., particularly: Dr. Louis Letendre, Dr. Mark Litzow, and Dr. Sanjay Kalra; doctors and staff of Astera Health, Wadena,  particularly: Dr. John Lindblom; and nurses and staff of Vivie Hospice.

Please visit www.karvonenfuneralhome.com to leave memorials and condolences on Amy’s Tribute Wall.

Arrangements provided by Karvonen Funeral & Cremation Service of New York Mills.