Frances Alberta Ostrom was born to Frank and Anna Chaffee in Big Sandy, Montana on September 15, 1929. Her parents homesteaded in the Hopp area. After the untimely death of her father in 1931, her older brother, Albert Chaffee, and mother farmed and ranched on the Missouri breaks' farm with Frances attending Tuscania School, which her father, a former ship's carpenter, helped build. When Frances reached high school age, she and her mom moved into Big Sandy.

On October 21,1948 she married Willard Duane Ostrom, back from WWII. They took over the Albin and Sena Madison homestead west of Big Sandy in the Kenilworth district and began a life together, raising wheat and five children:  Doreen Ostrom Stevens (Al Stevens); Eileen Ostrom Boschee (Ed Boschee); Mark Ostrom (Cheryl); Bart Ostrom (Monique); and Chad Ostrom (Leland Gordon). Mark and Cheryl Ostrom with their two sons, Joe and Jerame, continued the family farm which celebrated its centenary in 2011.

After the death of her husband in 1981, Frances worked as a nurse's aide at the Big Sandy Medical Center and also sold Avon products with home deliveries as far-ranging as some rural mail routes. A talented seamstress until her eyesight failed, Frances enjoyed gardening, reading, and coffeetime with her crew.

She was a dedicated, active, and life-long member of the Big Sandy Church of God.

As a member of the Women of the Church of God (WCG), whose mission included world-wide missionary support, Frances delivered meals to the ill or needy. For the last several years Frances found a new home at the Big Sandy Medical Center Long Term Care facility greatly enjoying friendships, special events, and visitors from all ages in the community.