Patricia Osburn

Patricia Osburn, age 87, of Rapid City, South Dakota, died on Monday, March 28, 2022 at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip.

Patricia Marie Welfl was born April 3, 1934, on her parents’ homestead 12 miles north of Philip, the fourth of five children born to William “Bill” and Josephine (Hallinan) Welfl. She grew up there in a two room house and attended Old Trail rural school. She later graduated from Philip High School in 1952. She then went on to Mercy Hospital Nursing School in Denver graduating in 1956. 

Patricia was united in marriage to Carter Francis on November 24, 1956, in Philip, and to this union were born two sons Carter Francis, Jr. and Burton J. “Joe” Francis. They then moved to Chicago where she worked as a nurse while Carter was in Loyola Dental School. After Carter graduated from Dental School in 1961, they moved to Steamboat Springs, Colorado, where they raised their two sons, enjoying the mountains, skiing, fishing and camping. 

In 1975, the family moved to Dallas, where Carter finished his education, before moving back to Denver. Patricia then attended Loretto Heights College in Denver where she earned her Bachelors Degree in Nursing in 1980. She worked as a Medical Claims Advisor for Lincoln National Life in Denver until retiring in 1997.

Patricia later rekindled her relationship with her high school sweetheart, James “Jim” Osburn, and were married on Jim’s birthday, February 26, 1997, so that way if he forgot their anniversary Pat wouldn’t feel obligated to do anything for his birthday. They made their home in Rapid City throughout their married life.

They enjoyed traveling to spring training baseball games, and rock collecting. Patricia was a long time member of BirthRite and also a member of St. Therese Catholic Church in Rapid City.

Survivors include two sons Carter Francis, Jr. of Rapid City, and Burton J. “Joe” Francis and his wife Jennifer of Portland; two step-sons John Osburn and his wife Carolina of Black Hawk, and Douglas Osburn and his wife Krista of Rapid City; a granddaughter Kaylan King and her daughters Semler and Bailey all of Titusville, Florida; a grandson Shawn Lepka (Tina) and her son Max of Gilbert, Arizona; a grandson Jack Francis of Portland, Oregon; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Patricia was preceded in death by her husband James “Jim” Osburn on March 11, 2022; her parents; one brother Robert “Bob” Welfl; and three sisters Shirley McDaniel, Jean Mueller, and Ila Mae Daly.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, April 4, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip.

Interment will be at the Masonic Cemetery in Philip.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to BirthRite.

Arrangements are with Rush Funeral Home of Philip.