Ruth Osborn

Ruth Osborn Obituary


Ruth Osborn, 95, passed away with close family by her side on September 9, 2018 at Labette County Medical Center in Parsons, Kansas following a brief illness.

Ruth was born Nana Ruth Rains on January 24, 1923 in Independence, KS at the home of her parents Helen Virginia Sloan Rains and Crittenden Fred Rains. She attended Riley Elementary School, often walking what she recalled as "a very long, cold mile" each way.

Always a good student, Ruth was named valedictorian of the senior class at Independence High School in 1941. Active in many diverse areas ranging from student government, to athletic organizations to forensic and debate clubs, she often served as an elected officer for the groups.

Of all her high school interests, debate was her true passion and in the early 1940s won a state debate championship. Ruth continued her education at Independence Junior College, sharing a campus with the high school at that time and received an Associate of Arts degree in 1943. She especially enjoyed and excelled in Chemistry.

Ruth married Ralph (R J) Osborn on November 6, 1943 at the First Christian Church in Independence where the couple worshiped for nearly 90 years. The couple planned to celebrate their 75th anniversary this year. Following their marriage, the couple embarked on an extended honeymoon courtesy of the U. S. Navy as they traveled to Oklahoma, Texas, Michigan, California, and New York where R J received military training. Following R J's discharge Ruth worked as a church secretary in Manhattan, KS to help R J achieve his college degree.

Early in her marriage, Ruth worked as a chemist for Corpus Christi's waste treatment facility, a position unusual for a woman at that time. Following the couple's return to Independence in 1948, Ruth worked intermittently both full and part-time as an accountant for J. C. Penny, and various accounting firms.

Ruth enjoyed playing bridge and pinochle and in later years, bingo. She was a avid traveler from a young age with her parents and later, with R J, she visited every continent except Antarctica. She often presented programs about her travels for local community groups and her home was filled with mementos from her trips.

She was preceded in death by sisters Betty Rains Ditch and Carolyn Rains Power Burroughs and one brother, Jack Rains. She is survived her husband, R J of Independence, one sister, Patricia Couch (husband Kenneth) of Houston, daughter Marsha Hayes (husband David), son Ron Osborn, both of Independence, plus three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren spread across the country.

Services for Ruth Osborn Announced

Services for Ruth Osborn who passed away September 9 will be held November 6, 2018 at the First Christian Church in Independence, Kansas at 2 PM.. Surviving spouse, Ralph ( RJ) Osborn selected the date and venue as it will mark the 75th anniversary of the wedding which took place at the church in 1943.

Family members will meet at the church at noon for a meal prepared by First Christian Church members. Following the service at 2PM, a reception will be held in fellowship hall to share coffee and donuts and memories of Ruth

The family is establishing a scholarship for chemistry students at Independence Community College. Ruth graduated from ICC and worked as a Chemist in Corpus Christi as she followed RJ on his military training assignments. Donations can be mailed to either of Ruth's children, Marsha Hayes or Ron Osborn at 3277 CR 4300, Independence, Kansas 67301. The family requests no flowers.

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