Leonnie Osborne

Leonnie was born February 24, 1939, in her Grandmother Cora's home in Fairfield, Idaho. She was the third child, and long-awaited first daughter, of Foster and Roma Funk. She died, surrounded by family, at home in Mankato, Minnesota on July 17, 2025, at the age of 86.

She was predeceased by our dad, Loye E Blackburn, her husbands Albert L. Rosner, and James R. Osborne, her parents, and three siblings, Dean Funk, Carolyn Gifford, and Keith Funk. She is survived by her brother, Sheryl Funk (Doreen), all five of her children: Steven Brett (Cindy) Blackburn, Rodney Lee Blackburn (Robert Hicker), Reed Alan Blackburn (Leslie Mercord), Shelly Ann Farber (Keith Miller), and Kristina Kaye Otto (Roger), sister-in-law, Sara Jane Osborne, her step children, eight grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren.  

When mom was born, the doctor announced her arrival by saying, “We have a red-headed girl!”  Throughout her life, and right to the end, she lived up to the red-head stereotype: fiery, stubborn, strong-willed, and defiant.    

Per her mother’s journal, the following is the story of how she was named “Leonnie”. 

“I think we had picked “Karen” out as a name for you, but the doctor, being an old family friend, wouldn’t let me name you that because “Karen” in the doctor’s profession meant a rotten hunk of meat. Grandma goes on to say “It took a while to find a name for you.  Mother’s sister Effie Villett had a daughter named Leonnie Janeal. Uncle George Villett’s ancestry was French. Somehow that name fit you, so you were blessed by Grandfather Bishop Rufus Pond on April 2, 1939, as Leonnie Funk.”

Growing up, when answering the phone, we kids knew whether the person on the other end was a stranger or not by the way they pronounced her name. We are positive she heard a million different variations throughout her life. But Grandma was right, “Leonnie” definitely fit her and all her uniqueness.   

Mom spent her childhood living at the Lazy E2 Ranch in Fairfield, Idaho, where her father ran 400-500 head of cattle for the ranch owner. By all accounts, she gave her parents a run for their money. Recently, she proudly shared a story with me of a time as a young girl she got mad at her folks, so she “ran away” and spent the day in the haymow playing with the kitties. “They couldn’t find me all day,” she shared, “and I was glad.”   

In 1954, the Funks moved from Fairfield, to Blythe, California.  It was here Leonnie graduated from Palo Verde High School in 1957.  

She later attended BYU, where she met her match in Loye E Blackburn. Loye and Leonnie were married March 19, 1959, in Mesa, Arizona. From this union sprang lots of fireworks, and five beautiful, well-adjusted children.   

Mom and dad set up house in Great Falls, Montana. She was a stay-at-home mom until her youngest child, Kristina, started school. During her working years, she was a receptionist, an office manager, and a real estate agent. She also volunteered for the Republican Party in Great Falls. She was a staunch Republican to the end. Mom and dad divorced in 1985.  

In 1986, mom met Albert Lee Rosner at an adult singles event in Salt Lake City.  Al and mom were married in November of that year. They were sealed for Time and Eternity in the Jordan River Temple in South Jordan, Utah. Al brought three daughters to the union: Maggie, Monica, and Gretchen. In May of 1987, mom moved to Wichita, Kansas where Al had his residence. They lived happily together for a short three and a half years before Al’s passing in 1990.   

After Al’s passing, mom was introduced, by a mutual friend, to James R. Osborne, of Mankato, Minnesota.  Mom and Jim were married for Time in July of 1991 at the Chicago, Illinois temple. Jim had six children with his eternal companion, Marilyn, who came with him as a package deal to the union: Anna, Amy, Alice, Andrew, Abby and Adrienne. Jim’s sister, Sara Jane, was right in there as well. Mom and Jim were married until Jim’s passing on May 20, 2025– just shy of 34 years. We want to express our deepest gratitude to all of the Osborne family for the service, love, and respect you showed our mother through the years, and especially at the end. You have been a blessing to our mother, and it has been a blessing to have you in our lives.

Leonnie came from a long line of Latter-Day Saints. Her ancestors crossed the plains and endured many hardships. She was intensely proud of her heritage, and of being a member of the Church. She served in many capacities, including Relief Society President and Young Women’s President. She was both a Seminary and Institute teacher, and taught Sunday School and Relief Society classes.  She loved going to Girls Camp and working with the youth of the Church. The youth loved her, too, often taking her into their confidences. Her most loved and valued calling, however, was that of a Missionary. She loved her Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Gospel, and had a strong testimony of its principles and teachings. With her Husband Jim, she served many missions, including the Singapore Mission in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The times serving as a Missionary were among the happiest of her life.    

Our mother taught us the meaning and value of hard work. She taught us, by example, the joy of being of service to others. In the last several years, mom’s hands started showing the evidence of years of labor and service. It is marvelous to think that ‘these hands’ had held her babies, changed diapers, wiped tears and noses, meted discipline, milked cows, cleaned houses, held reins, gutted fish, processed wild game, played piano and organ, led music, kneaded bread dough, made cakes, cookies, pies, and fruitcake (shudder). They lovingly made Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter meals for extended family. They picked chokecherries, raspberries, and wildflowers. These hands canned countless vegetables and fruits. They sewed, pieced and quilted for many, many hours; pulled weeds, held hoes, and assisted with her adult lifelong goal of eliminating every dandelion. They painted houses, guided Temple attendees, comforted those in need… The list goes on.  We are thankful and honored to have called this woman “Mother.” 

Funeral services will be held at 11am Saturday, August 2, 2025 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in North Mankato.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services.  Interment will be in Wichita, Kansas.