Patricia Osborne

Patricia Osborne died two weeks shy of her 88th birthday. She passed away at her home in Littleton with family by her side on March 4th, 2021. Patricia had been suffering with health issues and dementia the last number of years. It was difficult to see her in such pain and struggle with her cognitive loss. Prior to her last few years, her life could easily be a script for a Hollywood blockbuster the likes of “ It’s a Wonderful Life “.

Patricia (Pat) was born March 17, 1933 in Holdrege Nebraska to Julius Wilbert Johnson and Vera Vivian (Moore) Johnson. Since she was born on St Patrick’s Day she had to be named Patricia. She was the second oldest of five siblings: older brother Roger (deceased), younger sister Barbara, twin brothers Gary & Larry, and youngest sister Marilyn. Her mother was the rock of the family and kept things going during the difficult times as many across the nation struggled financially. Patricia would learn all facets of family and home as she helped her mom with the younger siblings. Her work ethic was beyond reproach as she would work babysitting jobs outside the family and get on with the Nebraska Telephone Company working part time during high school as a Phone Operator.

Patricia attended Holdrege High School, home of the Dusters (the mascot was named after a giant dust storm), and she would graduate in 1951. To say she excelled in high school would be an understatement of gargantuan proportions. Patricia was a member in no less than twenty-two clubs and organizations in high school. Simple participation would be impressive enough, however she was in leadership positions serving as an officer, president or directorial role in many of these clubs. She helped establish and was an officer in the first Holdrege Debate team that competed in various Forensic tournaments. Drama club saw her garner the lead role in the Junior and Senior year class plays. Ironically, in her senior year, her lead role was in the play “ Cheaper By the Dozen ” where her character embraces the challenges of raising a large Midwest family. Pep band, Honor Society and National Thespian Society are only a few of the other clubs. As one of the top students she also had an internship with the Phelps County Government.  Her younger sister Barb said it was pretty hard to follow her older sister in school after all her accomplishments. It only follows script that Patricia would add impeccable grades to the resume and graduate as the Valedictorian of her class.

College would only see Patricia continue with successes as she would receive a full ride academic scholarship to attend Kearney State College (scholarships to females at this time were extremely rare). Her striking good looks would get her awarded Daisy-Mae in the Sadie Hawkins formal her freshman year. She pledged and joined the Delta Pi Beta sorority. She became a member of the YWCA.  She would try out and earn a spot on the college’s Synchronized Swim team, the Naiads, that would perform for a variety of functions in the area. Let’s not forget that during all the academic and extracurricular activities, Patricia continued to work part time as a phone operator for Nebraska Telephone.

It would be Patricia’s freshman year that she would meet the love of her life. The story goes that Keith Osborne, who was on leave from the Army, went to the college to meet an old girlfriend at the sorority. Instead of the old girlfriend showing up to the door, Patricia Rae met Keith at the door. Both were smitten with each other. Keith spent the rest of his leave courting Patricia and then they arranged to correspond with each other when Keith left for his tour of duty in Korea. And so, Keith left in the fall of 1952 for Korea and did not return until the summer of 1953.The romance accelerated into matrimony in  November of 1953. Her Dad would be convinced to let his daughter, a devote Lutheran, marry a Catholic. She would also leave college after her sophomore year for Chicago and Keith’s job. So with Patricia Rae’s persona, she would take all of her mental moxie and pour her skills into an even bigger adventure – raising a family.

The next 10 years would see them have 6 kids, live in 5 cities and 5 states in 9 different rentals, while Keith would checkout 5 different jobs before landing in his permanent career. Simply surviving these years would be challenging enough, but Patricia thrived and would say later in life that “They didn’t have a pot to pee in, and yet these were some of their best years.”  Kids were priority number one, yet she would take on jobs when times allowed. She worked the switchboards for Grain Brokerage in Chicago her first year of marriage. Being a cook at Columbine Hills Elementary was a perfect fit for a mother as well as teaching swimming at Littleton YMCA, where her kids learned to swim and have access to a gymnasium. When the kids got older and more self-sufficient she took on the job as Executive Administrative Assistant of Loretta Heights Nursing College. Carrying on the tradition of community participation, Patricia was the Chair of the Neighborhood Ladies Bridge club, was a member of the PTA for a number of years, and constructed and organized floats for the annual Littleton Western Welcome & Little Britches Rodeo parade.

She was a quiet advocate for equal opportunities for women and would help establish and sponsor a cheerleading club, and a girls softball program when the Columbine Hills Sports Association was first established. She even coached Elizabeth’s softball team. Patricia was a founding leader/teacher of the local 4H chapter where her home economics and cooking skills got passed on. Her ‘busy cup’ was more than full and actually overflowed as it was constantly being added to. During those child-rearing years, Patricia and Keith took on nine different relatives providing a roof, bed, money and food for them when they were either down on their luck or in transition in their life. The ‘Cheaper By the Dozen’ had a whole other meaning for Patricia. Her kids already knew their mother’s cooking skills and these relatives who lived or visited would exclaim that Patricia had the ability to turn 'Meatloaf and Casseroles’ into dishes that Kings would bow down to. Her sausage gravy, bread pudding and whiskey sauce were specialties in frequent demand.  Many of her dishes had a unique flavor since strict adherence to a recipe “was not necessary”. The family can only remember one special dish that was not put on the repeat list.  She followed the Girl Scout’s Campfire Stew recipe exactly and the family dog, Echo, wouldn’t eat it. Her multi-tasking skills were mind boggling. It wound not be uncommon to see her feeding a baby in a makeshift high chair with two toddlers seated nearby, while working a crafts activity with a table of preteens, and giving directions to a couple of older kids who had their friends over with them, all while preparing the evening meal with all the left overs in the refrigerator. Heck, getting six kids to sit and be quiet during a Catholic church service is mind boggling enough. Patricia will definitely be remembered for cooking, sewing, all types of crafts, camping, bridge, home renovation, a quick sense of humor and knack for innovation. She loved playing the piano and her painting and drawing abilities flourished. Insight to her artistic talents would appear in 1991 when she began art classes and proceeded to produce oil and water-color paintings that are treasured by friends and family alike. Every year for Christmas, she would design and make a special gift for the grandchildren. Each gift was unique and was reflective of her creativity, artistic skills and love for each grandchild.

When reflecting on Patricia’s life, it is amazing that “her simple family life” was in fact so very diverse and how she managed to accomplish it all. Much of the previously stated facts are the events and activities that kept her and Keith busy. The personal aspects of marriage and love of kids could be a book by itself. Suffice it to say, Patricia and Keith’s love for each other grew in their love and caring for family. Attending all the children events, sports, recitals and such would be a time consumer and as the years passed as always their cup kept overflowing, grandkids would be added starting the cycle again in many ways. Patricia was definitely an anchor with the children, but as the years passed Patricia and Keith evolved into a partnership of parenting with each other’s role complimenting the other. Oh what a partnership it really was! Yes there were bumps and disagreements down the road of life, but they were devoted to each other and their love of family was never-ending. Their values would pass onto their kids in more ways than you could know. As this part of the story blends into more of a Patricia and Keith thing, the truth is that their marriage evolved into family. It seems so fitting that she would pass so soon after Keith’s passing.

Patricia was content with the simple things in life, fulfillment in knowing she lived helping others improve their quality of life and, most importantly, watching her family grow and prosper. Her greatest gift to the family may have been her example of a generous and loving spirit, willingness to give, strong work ethic and devotion to family.  Patricia worked endlessly on the portrait of her life and family. It’s finally complete, and that glimmer and smile which lit up her face when she was happy will always be there now because she sees a little bit of herself in each and every family member. Patricia’s legacy will carry on in the lives of her 6 kids,15 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren with three more on the way. She may not have finished her full ride in college but she sure more than made a full ride in life. Yes, her life’s script could be titled “It’s a Wonderful Life”.

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Parish for the extended family on Friday, March 26, 2021 at 10:30am.  For those who are unable to attend personally, they may attend virtually via livestream by clicking on the following link: https://youtu.be/HsuDXY97XNo

A Committal Service will follow the Mass and will be at 1:00pm at Fort Logan National Cemetery for immediate family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Patricia's name to Porter Hospice and St. Anthony Hospice Foundation by visiting https://www.rmahf.org/porter-hospice-foundation.html

Please leave memories and condolences for Patricia by signing the tribute wall.

Members of the Family:

Patricia’s Mother & Father: The late Vera Vivian (Moore) Johnson and the late Julius Wilbert Johnson

Spouse: The late Keith Robert Osborne

Mother & Father In-Law: The late Mary (Shannahan) & the late Robert Osborne

Step Mother: The late Dorothy Johnson (2nd wife of Julius)

Children: Pat & Jean Osborne, Mike & Karen Osborne, Janis & Larry Pottorff, Tom & Cindi Osborne, Jerry & Mary Jo Osborne, Elizabeth Osborne & Nicki

Grandchildren: Laura Osborne & Alex Jester (engaged), Shannon (Osborne) & Michael Canono, Megan Osborne & Mario Rodriguez (engaged), the late Brian Osborne, Jessica (Pottorff) & Ryan Paul, Jake & Lauren Pottorff, Clay & Katelynn Pottorff, Nathan & Katherine Osborne, Cori(Osborne) & Ryan Spear, Mack Osborne, Will Osborne, Kyle & Kelcie Osborne, Kelsey (Osborne) & Chad Miller, Connor Osborne, Kevin Osborne

Great-Grandchildren: Lily Paul, Jonah Paul, Zoe Paul, Kya Pottorff, Baby girl on the way, Harper Pottorff, Hallie Pottorff, Cameron & Kellen Pottorff (twins), Mary Grace Osborne, Jane Osborne, Robert Osborne, Baby TBD on the way, Adalynn Spear, Charlotte Spear, Baby girl on the way, Averie Osborne, Quinn Osborne, Brooklynn Miller, Camden & Maddyn Miller (twins)

Siblings: The late Roger & the late Lou Ann Johnson, Barb (Johnson) & Don Bartek, Gary Johnson & Theresa Kastl, Larry Johnson & Lois Poulicek, Marilyn (Johnson) & the late Leon Langemeier

Nieces/Nephews: Deb (Johnson) & Phil Olsen, Matt & Jan Johnson, Sara (Johnson) & Mike Scott, Steve Bartek, Doug & Lori Bartek, Amy (Bartek) & Jim Masiongale, Joe & Rachel Bartek, Lonnie Johnson, Gina (Johnson) Nations, Robbie (Schneider) & Luke Lorenz, John & Jane Schneider, Jane (Schneider) & Terry Mammal, Mike & Kathy Schneider, Mary Ann (Schneider) & Stan Marthaler, Patrick & Dianne Schneider, Matt & Tanya Fox, Andy & Kim Fox, Dan & Dawn Fox

The late Margaret Schneider & and her late husband Bob, Kathleen (Osborne),  Harley Fox (sister in law):

Patricia's Memberships and Organizations: