David Ostendorf

David Gary Ostendorf, age 24, of Salinas, CA and formerly of Melrose, died from injuries sustained in a plane crash on Sunday, April 8, 2012 in Monterey, California.

Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 18 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose with Rev. Marvin Enneking officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date.

Friends may call from 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose. David Gary Ostendorf was born April 1, 1988 in St. Cloud, Minnesota to David and Sherry (Schleppenbach) Ostendorf. He was the oldest of four children. David graduated from the Melrose High School in 2006. He received his Aviation Degree at St. Cloud State University in 2010 and an Air Traffic Control Degree in Oklahoma City in 2011. He also received his private pilot license in 2008. Throughout his college career he worked for Voigt's Bus Company in St. Cloud. After college, David interned in San Jose, CA and Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN as an Air Traffic Controller. He was then hired in Monterey, CA as a Certified Air Traffic Controller in April of 2011.

David was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose. He enjoyed all things fast like cars, motorcycles and planes. He also enjoyed hockey, snowmobiling, trains, music, camping with his family, and most of all, spending time with Gabrielle.

Survivors include his parents, David and Sherry Ostendorf of Melrose; brother, Bradley Ostendorf (fiancée, Amy Hellickson) of Moorhead; sisters, Shawna Ostendorf (significant other, Shane Broermann) of St. Cloud and Tara Ostendorf of Melrose; the love of his life, Gabrielle "Brie" Goenner of Clearwater; grandmothers, Emily Schleppenbach of Albany and Margie Ostendorf of Albany; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

David was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Gary Schleppenbach and Tony Ostendorf; and uncles, Joe Schleppenbach and Joseph Ostendorf.

Urn bearer will be Brad Ostendorf. Cross bearer will be Amy Hellickson and scripture bearer will be James Ostendorf.