Emilie Anne Connell Ostendorff

A Memorial Service for Mrs. Thomas Julian Ostendorff, Jr. (nee Emilie Anne Connell), also known as Papaw, will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 275 Southfield Road on Saturday, February 14, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Visitation and a reception will be held after the service in the church parlor. A private family burial will be held at Forest Park Cemetery, St. Vincent. The Reverend Michael Cannon assisted by the Reverend Paul Martin, will officiate at the service.

Mrs. Ostendorff was born August 28, 1923 in Belcher, Louisiana. She was the daughter of Nell and Robert Connell, pioneer settlers of Bossier and Caddo Parish and longtime residents of Belcher, Louisiana. She was a graduate of Belcher High School and of Centenary College of Louisiana where she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree. She was a member of the Maroon Jackets and Chi Omega Sorority. Mrs. Ostendorff was a very active volunteer for many years in civic, educational, cultural, social and religious organizations. She served on the board of several of these organizations. She was especially dedicated to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church where she and her husband were charter members, The Glen, LSU Medical School and Grace Home, where she served for many years. She was selected as the Shreveport-Bossier Junior League Sustainer of the Year for 2010.

Mrs. Ostendorff was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Julian Ostendorff, Jr.; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Connell of Belcher, LA; her sister, Mrs. Bobbye Connell Peterson and husband, Keith of Shreveport, LA and her niece, Sallie Anne Peterson of London, England.

She is survived by her sons, Thomas “Tom” Julian Ostendorff, III and wife, Sheryl and William “Bill” Charles Ostendorff and wife, Chris of Annapolis, MD. She is also survived by grandchildren, Seth Ostendorff and wife, Lauren, and Michael Ostendorff all of Shreveport, LA, Becky Ostendorff Limmer and husband, Sam of Washington, D.C., Chuck Ostendorff and wife, Lisa of Durham, NC and Jeff Ostendorff of Washington, D.C.; great-grandchildren, Olivia Ostendorff, Jack Ostendorff, Cecilia Ostendorff and Emilie Anne Ostendorff of Shreveport, LA, Dylan Ann and Will Limmer of Washington, D.C., and Charley, Emilie Jane and Savannah Ostendorff of Durham, NC; nephews, Keith “Dee” Peterson, Jr. and wife, Carol and Robert Peterson and wife, Ginny of Shreveport, LA.

The family wishes to express special thanks to her caregivers, Lucille, Elizabeth, Dee and Doris and other North Pavilion staff at The Oaks for their care and compassion.

The family suggests memorials may be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 275 Southfield Road Shreveport, LA 71105, Robinson’s Rescue, 2515 Line Avenue, Shreveport, LA 71104 or the charity of your choice.