Arlene Osborn 1946-2017

Funeral services for Arlene Kay (Francis) Osborn, 70, will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 25, 2017 at Christ Episcopal Church in Glenrock, Wyoming, with Pastor Mark Twain Lewis and the Rev. Kay Flores officiating.

Arlene Osborn died Saturday, May 20, 2017, at Wyoming Medical Center in Casper.

Arlene was born Oct. 14, 1946, in Buffalo, Wyoming, the daughter of James Maynard and Betty Jo (Jarland) Francis. She was raised and educated in Buffalo and graduated from Buffalo High School in 1965. She attended Casper College and continued her education at the University of Wyoming, where she received a bachelor’s degree in social work.

She lived boldly – adorning her cars with bumper stickers that declared, “Well behaved women rarely make history,” and, “Women are natural leaders. You’re following one now.”

For nearly 40 years, she spent most afternoons imparting her passion for and love of music on the lives of eager and not-so-eager piano, guitar, and music students. A mother to four unique and independent individuals, she and her husband, Jim, raised their children to be extraordinary – something not lost on any one of them.

She was married to her love and best friend, James C. Osborn, on Jan. 23, 1971, just three short months after they met.

Arlene loved her family, her friends, her pets, her children and grandchildren. She loved the mountains and fishing, and she loved her students. She taught music up until the day she left us – far too soon for anyone’s liking.

Among her many accomplishments, her most proud included graduating from the University of Wyoming the same year her eldest daughter graduated from high school, and driving the ERV (Red Cross Van) by herself to Missouri for the great flood of ’93.

She is survived by her husband, Jim, of Glenrock and her four children, Julia (Jim) Janousek of Minnesota, Paul (Sheila) Osborn of Delaware, Lisa Osborn of Casper, and Jamie (Jeremiah) Purcell of Casper. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Oliva, Xavier, Arielle and Jacob, as well as her siblings, Roberts (Bill) Abbot of Grand Junction, Colorado, Joyce (Ray) Jones of Denver, Colorado, and Jim (Michele) Francis of Newport News, Virginia.

Arlene was preceded in death by her parents, James and Betty Jo Francis.

In lieu of flowers the family would like a donation to a charity of the donor’s choice in Arlene’s name.

The Gorman Funeral Homes – Converse Chapel of Douglas, Wyoming is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.gormanfh.com