Shirley Osborne

Shirley R. Osborne, age 85, long time resident of Crookston, MN, died Thursday, May 6, 2021 at Valley Eldercare in Grand Forks, ND. Shirley was born on November 28, 1935 in Madelia, MN, the daughter of Howard and Mildred (Smith) Reed. She was raised and educated in Madelia, graduating from Madelia High School in 1953. She was united in marriage to Donald A. Osborne on June 4,1956 in Madelia.  Shirley worked in the banking business prior to her first child being born and was a stay-at-home mom.  ln 1981 she returned to banking at Twin City Federal/American Federal Bank where she served as a bank teller and branch manager until she retired after 20 plus years.

Throughout Shirley’s life she was a voracious reader and loved plants and flowers.  Her home was always filled with African Violets and Christmas Cactus. She was also known for her Christmas toffee that she made each year and shared with so many friends and family.

One of the highlights of Shirley’s life after retirement from American Federal Bank, was enrolling as a student at University of Minnesota Crookston.  Shirley took classes such as Horticulture, Creative Writing, Accounting and many others. Every chance she could she would share her excitement of learning with others.  This excitement lead to her working as a peer mentor for students new to the University.  As a non-traditional student, Shirley received an Outstanding Tutor Award in 2007 for her work with an international student.  She tutored many students in accounting as well.  Sadly, she had to stop attending in 2013 when she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.  Shirley has been a member of Cathedral of Immaculate Conception for 50 years.  For several summers, Shirley volunteered to plant and care for the flowers outside the church until 2012.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Donald A. Osborne, (2013) and their first-born son, Stephen (1959).  She is survived by her four children: Timothy (Carol) Osborne of Brainerd, MN, Dawn (Kevin) Anderson of East Grand Forks, MN, Carol (Elizabeth) Osborne of San Diego, CA, Mike Osborne of Dell Rapids, SD; eleven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren, two sisters: Lynn Goodburn of Mankato, MN and Anita Herring of Rochester, MN and one brother, Harvey (Norma) Reed of Madelia, MN.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Shirley R. Osborne will be held at 11:00 AM, Thursday, May 20, 2021 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Crookston.  Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service. Livestreaming will be available by going to www.crookstoncathedral.com, clicking on Funerals/Burials then the prompt to view the Mass for Shirley. Memorials may be given in Shirley’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, or the UMC Non-Traditional Students Association.

Online registry and messages of condolence may be made at www.stenshoelhouske.com