Barbara Claire Osborne

Barbara Claire Osborne age 87, of Madelia, MN, died on December 7, 2022, at Living Meadows at Luther in Madelia.

Barb was the daughter of Clarence and Lilah (Riemer) Lenz born on February 4th, 1935 in Nunda Township. She grew up in a small community, Conger, MN near Albert Lea, MN. She graduated Albert Lea High School in 1952.  After High School, she enrolled into the nursing program at Hamline University in St Paul MN and obtained her R.N. degree. She was quickly employed at University Hospital but would eventually move on to Immanuel Hospital in Mankato, MN in 1956. While enjoying her work as a surgical nurse, her life would change forever upon meeting her future husband, Gerald "Jerry" Osborne.

Barb met Jerry at the Mankato Ball Room. The story is told that she was the first to ask for a dance. She would then go onto marry Jerry at the Mater Dolorosa Catholic Church in Madelia. There after, they would settle down on a farm near Madelia, where they raised four children: Bradley, Susan, Diane, and Bruce. Barb continued to work as a nurse at the Madelia Hospital, Madelia Clinic, Luther Memorial Home, REM Heartland, and the American Red Cross. She was no stranger to volunteer work; she participated at CADA Board, St. Mary's Church, Girl Scout's, Nightingale Club, Moose Club, Vine, and the American Red Cross. Working as a nurse was one of the most important gifts in her life, and she cherished her coworkers and the staff.

On the farm, her hobbies would include gardening, reading, raising peacocks, peahens, and turkeys. Pulling weeds was one of her favorite pastimes. There would rarely be a day you would not see her pulling weeds.

Survivors include her four children, Bradley of Sheridan, Wyoming, Susan of Bakersfield, California, Diane of Wichita, Kansas, and Bruce and his wife Amy of Madelia; grandchildren, Nicole, Brandon, Conrad, Katie, Jordan, and Chase; and great-grandchildren, Ashlynn, Jaelynn, and Jaxon.  She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jerry; and sister, Eleanor Lovett.