Alice E. Osburn
August 21, 1922 – August 4, 2012
Alice Elaine Smith Osburn, age 89, and a resident of Manitou Springs since 1946, went home to be with her Lord on August 4, 2012 at the Village at Skyline. She was surrounded by her loving family.
Alice was born August 21, 1922 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She was the second of four children of Emerson and Emma (Price) Smith, both are deceased. She worked at various secretarial jobs in Kalamazoo. It was at a USO dance in 1942 that she met her lifetime soul mate, Eustace Howell “Ozzie” Osburn, who was stationed nearby with the Army.
After Ozzie’s discharge, he and Alice moved to Manitou Springs, Colorado where they ran a business called Pikes Peak Weavers, with Ozzie’s brother and wife. They wove handmade wool yard goods. Alice was a custom tailor. In 1952 they opened Osburn’s Gift Shop where they raised their three daughters.
Alice was a member of Community Congregational Church in Manitou Springs where she taught Sunday school, sang in the choir, and served on various boards and committees. She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star. She was active in the Manitou Historical Society, and was a Girl Scout leader for her girls. She loved square dancing and ballroom dancing with Ozzie. She taught her daughters to enjoy sewing, reading, and to appreciate all things of nature.
Alice and her family took many memorable trips during spring vacations. After retirement, Alice and Ozzie spent many months in their trailer exploring the United States, Canada, and Mexico. A loving wife and mother, Alice will be remembered for her gentle and loving spirit.
She is survived by: sister Jean West in Kalamazoo, Michigan; daughters Lynne (Roger) Vahsholtz of Geneseo, Kansas, Nancy Lindley and Mary (Rod) Wilson both of Manitou Springs, Colorado; two granddaughters and three grandsons and ten great grandchildren. Alice is preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Ozzie, parents and her brothers Dale and Clair and a son-in-law Jay Lindley.
A joint service will be held to celebrate the lives of Alice and Ozzie at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, August 9, 2012 at the Community Congregational Church, 101 Pawnee Ave., Manitou Springs 80829.
In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to the charity of your choice or to Pikes Peak Hospice, 2550 Tenderfoot Hill St., Colorado Springs, CO 80906.