Leona L. Osborn

Leona L. Osborn
Leona Lorraine (Schuster) Osborn, age 91, of Waseca, MN, passed on to her heavenly home early in the morning on Sunday, January 31, 2016, at Golden Oaks Advanced Assisted Living in Duluth, MN.
Leona (Onie) was born on November 30, 1924, in Dodge Center, MN to Bessie (Campbell) and Simon Schuster.  She grew up on the family farm, the youngest of six children, and spent much of her time helping her father with the chores.  She and her sister Gina were especially close, and always found a reason to laugh whenever they were together.
Leona married Ross C. Osborn on July 14, 1945, in Austin, MN.  They moved to Waseca in 1955 where they raised two children, Vincent and Tracee.  They also opened their home to provide foster care.  Leona was a wonderful caring mother who loved and cherished her children, and always made the neighbor kids feel welcome.
Over the years Leona had many different jobs.   She worked at National Cash Register in Rochester, Chicago, Philadelphia and Waterloo, Iowa; a grocery store in Austin, MN; a candy factory, a tinsel factory and a matchbook monogram factory in St. Louis, Missouri; and at Tot N Teen Childrens Shop in Owatonna, MN.  Once settled in Waseca, she worked for about nine years each at the Waseca Journal, the JC Penney Catalog Store, and at the supermarket deli.
Leona doted on her grandchildren and great grandchildren and loved the times they shared together over the years.  They always brought out that twinkle in her eye and made her feel young again. 
Leona made friends everywhere she went and she had a contagious laugh.  She loved to dance and Ross, Leona, sister Gina and her husband Bud were frequent visitors to dances in the area.  She was an active member of First Congregational Church in Waseca for many years.  Before moving to Duluth in 2012, she made frequent visits there and her birthday dinners with the requisite Bloody Mary at Blackwoods in Duluth was one of the highlights of the year. 
Leona was preceded in death by her parents, her five siblings: Lyle, Hilton, Frances, Lavonne, and Virginia (Gina), and her husband, Ross (RC).  She is survived by her son Vincent (Sharon) of Duluth and grandcats Sophia and Giovanni; her daughter Tracee (Dave) Racek and  grandchildren Cassie (John Kuns), Cole (Whitney Bartsh), and Caramie (Derrick) Dempsey of Owatonna and three great grandchildren, Makenna, Dreydan, and Logan Michael; many nieces and nephews; and special friends Pat Nelson and Ron Kari, who were part of the Fab Five.  The family would like to thank the caregivers at Golden Oaks and Essentia Health Hospice Care who truly loved Leona and cared for her with compassion and grace.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, February 12, 2016, at First Congregational Church in Waseca, with visitation one hour before, and lunch after.  A memorial service for friends in Duluth will be announced soon.  Inurnment will be held at a later date at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.