Nova Jo Berry

Hamilton – Nova Jo Berry, 85 of Hamilton passed away peacefully surrounded by family of natural causes at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula.

She was born November 24, 1937 in Ada Oklahoma, the daughter of Marlin and Alice Ann Ray.  Nova graduated High School in Julian, California in 1956.  She was the head secretary of the Elementary School until 1976.

She moved to Hamilton with then husband Ronald Ostrander and started the “Hang Up” women’s clothing store.  She went on to many other projects including the complete design and construction of “Tammany Square Plaza” in 2001.

Nova married Bill “Gus” Berry in 1994 and lived lovingly and happily until Bill’s passing on March 28, 2011.

Nova was preceded in death by her grandparents, parents, step-father, Elmo Cauzza and husband, Bill.

She is survived by her younger sister, Patricia Ingalls of Seattle, WA.; sons, Marlin Ostrander Sr. of Hamilton, MT and Elmo Ostrander Sr. of Corvallis, MT; 11 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, 2 nephews and dozens and dozens of friends.

Nova was a loving sister, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt and true friend to all that knew her and will be sorely missed.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 18, 2023, at Riverview Cemetery in Hamilton.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial be made in the name of Nova Berry to the Bitterroot Humane Association or Haven House Food Bank.