Alma Osborne

Alma Otelia Osborne was born December 8, 1911 in Estherville, Iowa, to Norwegian immigrant parents, William and Olga (Nielsen) Vagle. She attended grade school in Estherville. Alma moved to Spirit Lake and lived with the Harry Narey family while she attended and graduated from Spirit Lake High School in 1929. She went on to Coe College in Cedar Rapids where she earned her teaching certificate. Alma taught in rural schools in Dickinson and Clay counties until her marriage to Duane Osborne, June 2, 1937. The couple made their home in Spirit Lake, where she was a devoted housewife and mother. Alma was a faithful member of First Presbyterian Church in Spirit Lake since 1931. She served as a Sunday School Teacher, an Elder, held offices in UPW, Pioneer Fellowship, and was involved in many Bible Studies. For several years, she assisted with the church newsletter and was involved with sewing quilts. At the time of her death, Alma was the longest continual member of First Presbyterian Church. She was also a fifty year member and Past Matron of the Order of Eastern Star and enjoyed two neighborhood women's clubs. Alma passed away February 8, 2011 at Hilltop Care Center in Spirit Lake at ninety-nine years of age. Preceding her in death were her husband of seventy- two years, Duane, her parents, four brothers, three sisters, four brothers-in-law, seven sisters-in-law, a daughter-in-law, two grandsons and one step-grandson, two nephews and two nieces. Left to survive are her sons, Robert Osborne (Mary Ann) of Wilmot, South Dakota, James Osborne of Spirit Lake, William Osborne (Diane) of Milford and Dennis Osborne (Donald Raymond) of Mesa, AZ; daughters, Annette Schaeffer (David) of Spencer and Nancy Ranum (Gary) of Spirit Lake; seven grandchildren, five step-granchildren, nine great-grandchildren, eight step-great grandchildren, and four step great-great grandchildren. Also surviving are a sister-in-law, Betty Vagle, of Redwood Falls, Minnesota; twenty-six nieces and nephews and many friends.