Elva Fay Oestmann, 86, of South Coffeyville, Oklahoma, passed away on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at Coffeyville Regional Medical Center.
Elva was born on May 5, 1940, on the family farm near Talala, Oklahoma, to Paul and Gladys (Peyton) Mathes. She grew up helping her parents with the family farm. She attended school in Talala through the fourth grade and completed her education in Nowata, Oklahoma.
On November 23, 1958, she married Vernon Oestmann, and the two shared 58 years together. Early in their marriage, Elva worked as a telephone operator for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in Nowata, and she later served for many years as secretary for Rural Water District 7. But the farm was the heart of her life. As a farmer’s wife and a farmer in her own right, Elva worked alongside Vernon and helped manage the farm for most of her life. She was also a dedicated gardener who took great pride in what she grew.
Her most treasured role was that of wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, which she filled with great pride and love. She loved and cherished the time she spent with her family.
Elva was an active and devoted member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. She loved to paint, read, sew, crochet, and do needlepoint, and she enjoyed caring for her outdoor cats and other animals. Family game time was a favorite, especially Phase 10, and she was, as her family will tell you, the greatest Chinese checkers player ever.
She is survived by her children, Patty O’Shields and her husband John, Larry Oestmann and his wife Debbi, Karen Wilson and her husband Jim, Terry Oestmann and his wife Nancy, Nancy Turney and her husband Lincoln, and Twylla Hassell and her significant other Gary Gilliland; her grandchildren, Tristan Williams; Deandrea O’Shields; Moneaquea O’Shields and partner Michael Love; Amanda Grounds and husband Matt; Brooke Hampton and husband James; Whitney Decker; Richard Oestmann and wife Haley; Taylor Good and husband Ryan; Kacie Ortiz and husband Lucas; Jamie Nichols and husband Ryan; Brock Halbrook and wife Chelsea; Rachel Cumming and husband Robert; Chance Sipple and wife Amanda; Marissa Oestmann and fiancé Kody Cavender; Lindsey Davis and husband Jared; Lacey Truesdell and husband Michael; Alisha Fryar and husband Ryan; and Wyatt Turney and wife Kyndal; and 33 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Gladys Mathes; her husband, Vernon; her daughter, Elverna Oestmann; her son-in-law, David Hassell and her great-granddaughter, Madison Decker; and her sister, Juanita Pauline Hewitt.
Visitation will be held from noon to 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at David W. Barnes Funeral Home. The family will greet friends that evening from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 29, 2026, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 506 West 9th Street, Coffeyville, Kansas, with Pastor Jon Franson officiating. Burial will follow at Mount Washington Cemetery in Lenapah, Oklahoma.
Memorials may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, designated for the Sunday School program. Contributions may be left with or mailed in care of David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306 North Cline Road, Coffeyville, KS 67337. To leave a message for the family please visit www.dwbfh.com.
