Norma Osborne
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Memorial services for Norma Lucille Osborne, 102, Lawrence will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, August 8, 2013 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary. Private inurnment will be at the Holton Cemetery in Holton, KS. She died Sunday, August 4, 2013 at Pioneer Ridge Retirement Community in Lawrence.
Norma was born December 7, 1910 in Bern, KS the daughter of George Frederick and Jessie Ellen (Hoffman) Brien.
As a young girl, Norma became a member of the Bern Ebenezer Evangelical Church, and has been a member of the Lawrence Central United Methodist Church since 1957.
Norma graduated from Bern Kansas High and attended KSU, then taught in Bern for 10 years.
Norma and her husband owned the Bern Gazette newspaper. "The Little Owl" was written by Norma. They lived in Frankfort, KS operating the Bliss Printing Company they then moved to Holton, KS and then to Brunswick, MO where her husband Ralph operated the local paper. Her column won an excellence rating from the Missouri Press Assn.
They moved to Lawrence in 1957, Norma worked for KU at Watson Library until retirement. She later volunteered at the Watkins Museum & the Kansas Historical Society and worked at the Lawrence Arts Center until 2002. She enjoyed writing and was a member of the Kansas Authors Club. She enjoyed gardening and getting dirty.
She married Ralph Bliss Osborne November 1938.
Survivors are: son, George of Lawrence; two grandchildren, Nick Orens, Tokyo, Japan and Caroline Mayfield, Shawnee, KS; and other relatives. Norma was devastated by the murder of her son Dan, wife Jane, and grandson Ben in 1983. Also surviving is her sister, Arleta Fisher in Topeka. May she forever walk in God’s grace.
The family suggests memorials in her name to Midland Hospice of Topeka, KS and may be sent in care of the mortuary.
Directly following the memorial service, there will be a reception held in her memory at the Lawrence Arts Center.
Norma Osborne was a remarkable woman. Her longevity was owed to the sturdy pioneer stock who settled the plains. She had a keen mind and great energy. She made an indelible impression on all who knew her.
What a wonderful, full, rich life she lived. I hope her family is proud of all her accomplishments. She was a terrific woman!
What a faithful EUB lady she was. George may peace be with you and I know it is with your mom.
Blessings
Pat Rappard Linnhoff LHS 61
Goerge, So sorry to hear about your mothers passing. She will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.
What a special woman she was. My wife and I met her through Dan and Jane over 40 years ago. She was just as sharp as she was then. I always liked to talk to her on the phone and read her special cards and notes. We both felt a special connection because of our love for Dan, Jane and Ben. We will never forget.
George, I’m so sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
George, I am truly sorry for your mother’s passing.
I wish that your pain will be alleviated with time.
God is the only source of comfort and hope.
My most heart feeling condolences to you.
With much love,Lucia
You will always be in my heart and prayers.
With much love,
M.Lucia