A lasting gift: Kennewick teen creates casket for grandfather

This story was published Saturday, April 14th, 2007
DORI O'NEAL
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/tch/lo...-8693363c.html

Eldon Ostergaard taught his grandson to take pride in a job well done, especially when it came to carpentry or cars.

So when Ostergaard died April 5 after struggling with heart problems and Parkinson's disease, Joe Rastovich Ostergaard, 15, knew the gift he wanted to give back to his grandfather.

The Kennewick High freshman is using the tools and skills he inherited from his mentor and friend to craft Ostergaard's casket.

"It might not be as fancy as the ones you can buy, but I think it'll be nice when I'm done," Joe said. "I wanted to make it because it's the last thing you can do for someone."

After checking with the funeral home, the Ostergaards were given the OK to supply the casket.

"Eldon always made the caskets for the pets we've had over the years who have died," said his wife, Salle of Kennewick. "I think it's a wonderful thing Joe's is doing this for his grandfather."

All week, Joe has rushed home after classes to work on the casket so it will be finished for the funeral Thursday at Mueller's Desert Lawn cemetery in Kennewick.

The casket is made with wood from his grandfather's shop. And Joe is using Ostergaard's tools.

First, though, he and his mother, LuAnn, scoured the Internet for information on building caskets.

"It's coming along pretty good. We're just having a little trouble finding handles strong enough to attach to the casket," said Joe.

Because Ostergaard loved old cars, the family decided to look for some old car door handles.

"Joe is definitely a do-it-yourselfer like Eldon," said his dad, Michael Rastovich. "I think it's pretty special what he's doing for his grandfather."

Once Joe puts the finishing touches on the outside of the casket, he'll line it with foam, cloth and a pillow.

As Ostergaard's only grandchild, Joe spent a lot of time with his grandparents. Ostergaard taught his grandson many things, including how to be resourceful, said LuAnn.

Joe also learned the value of sensibility, self-sufficiency and independence, she said.

Salle Ostergaard couldn't be happier that her grandson is creating the final resting place for her husband of 53 years. "Joe spent a lot of time with his grandfather, who built this house (more than four decades ago), learning all sorts of skills," she said.

Joe admits the project is helping him keep his mind busy so he doesn't dwell on sadness.

"I think building the casket his grandfather will be buried in is definitely helping him cope with his death," said Frankie Rastovich, Joe's paternal grandmother.

Once the casket is finished and Ostergaard, 76, is laid to rest, Joe says he'll honor his grandfather's memory by continuing to improve his skills.

"He gave me his old 1957 Mercury Monterey a while back and I was looking forward to fixing it up with his help," he said. "Now I'll have to do it alone."

But Joe has much more planned with his life than fixing old cars.

"I want to save the world," he said. "I want to invent things that will help save the environment, but first I need to get an engineering degree."

There's no question Eldon Ostergaard would be pleased.