Nancy Jean Osborn

Nancy Jean Osborn, age 90, passed away peacefully on April 16, 2026 after a brief illness. She was surrounded by family.
Nancy was born on July 31, 1935 in Riverdale, Illinois to Clarence and MayBelle Selle. Nancy was the third of four children, including 2 older sisters, Janice and Carol, and younger brother Ronald.
Nancy was a happy child and did well in school. She loved music all throughout her life, as did the rest of her family. She began singing at an early age. Her mother would even take Nancy places as a young child where she would sing and dance for people.
Nancy attended Thornton High School in Hazel Crest, Illinois and graduated in 1953. She worked as a cashier during high school.
She attended college, and worked as a librarian at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois where she graduated in 1957. She majored in Music Education. Nancy had a beautiful soprano voice. She sang in and conducted choirs, gave private lessons in voice. piano, and violin. She played violin in several orchestras, and played in a piano trio with her sisters (violin, cello, and piano). Years later she played in an orchestra and quartet with her daughters, Kathy and Laura. A highlight during college was when she played the part of Gretal in the opera “Hansel and Gretal”

Nancy had many suitors but knew of a handsome young man, James Osborn who was a few years ahead of her in high school. They became interested in each other on a double date at Starved Rock State Park in Illinois and soon fell in love. They were married on June 8, 1957 and spent 42 years together until Jim passed away in August 1999.

Jim and Nancy moved several times after Jim finished his Masters degree in Geology at U of Illinois. Their first daughter, Kathy Sue was born in Champaign, Illinois. Jim, Nancy, and Kathy moved to Lawrence, Kansas where Jim taught at Kansas University. Second daughter, Laura Elizabeth, was born in Lawrence. Jim's new job at Atlantic Richfield Oil Company transferred the family to Dallas, Texas, then Amarillo, Texas, where third daughter, Diane Carol was born. Next was a move to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, then Lafayette, Louisiana for 4 years. Their final move was to Littleton, Colorado in 1968 where son, David Bradley was born. Jim and Nancy loved Colorado and remained there the rest of their lives.

Nancy loved being a wife and a mother. She was a very dedicated and devoted mother who made sure her children were raised well. She took them to church, supported all of their music and sports activities, always made the holidays extra special, cooked delicious meals, sewed matching dresses for her girls when they were young, and much more! Her girls lovingly called her “Fancy Nancy” because she loved to dress up, wear matching jewelry, and red lipstick! Her daughter Diane, especially, also loves to wear matching outfits and jewelry because of her mother!

Nancy was very religious and made many friends in the RLDS church. Nancy wanted it to be known that she loved the Lord! She dedicated her life to serving God through her voice giving testimonies, and especially through her Ministry of Music with the beautiful solos she would sing. Nancy loved getting up early each morning in her later years to sing and play hymns on the piano. She stated her theme song was “Where He Leads Me I will Follow” Nancy’s strong faith in God got her through some difficult times in her life.

Nancy was especially close to her son, David during her final years. David lived the closest to her here in Denver, and she always looked forward to his visits.

Nancy was preceded in death by her husband. James, her parents Clarence, and MayBelle Selle, and her sister, Janice Henrickson (Donald), and her grandson, Kevin Michael. 

She is survived by her sister Carol Ergo (Jack), her brother Ronald Selle (Joanne), Daughters Kathy Naja(Ted), Laura Goodwin (Bill), Diane Wilson (Dwight), and son David Osborn, Her 10 grandchildren Matt, Jason, Austin, Jared, Jake, Christa, Harrison, Blake, Brad, and Carly, and 8 great-grandchildren Jolie, Warner, Meyer, Declan, Ezra, JC, Rhett and Ella as well as several nieces and nephews.

Nancy will be remembered as a kind and thoughtful person. She had a heart of gold and enjoyed getting to know people from all walks of life. She will be deeply missed and she will be forever in our hearts.

A graveside service will be held on Thursday, April 23rd at Littleton Cemetery, Littleton, Colorado at 1:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to your charity of choice or to;

  - Community of Christ  -USA Giving Methods | Community of Christ

  - Outreach International

  - HealthEd Connect  - https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?id=17&name=E125960

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