Dorothy Lee Osborn, 86, of Traverse City, passed away Saturday, October 27, 2018 at the home of her daughter, surrounded by her loving family.

Dorothy was born on Wednesday, March 02, 1932 to the late Robert and Hazel Etta (Freeman) Rourke in Owosso. She grew up on the family dairy farm, the youngest of six children. In high school, she was asked to the prom by Robert "Bob" Osborn and their love grew for one another. She and Bob were married on May 19, 1951 in Owosso.


Moving to Traverse City from Owosso in 1970, Dorothy and Bob started the Kirby Vacuum sales here. Later she was employed at Coldwell Banker as a realtor for 15 years in Traverse City and 2 years in Florida. Previous to that, Dorothy worked for Avery Insurance. She was an active member and volunteer at Trinity Lutheran Church, where she was one of the founders of the Christmas Cookie Sale and a member of the Altar Guild. Dorothy was a wonderful cook and always made sure there was some kind of food or pie to serve when friends or family stopped by. She enjoyed her family, gardening and yard work, crossword puzzles, music, arts, travel, and refinishing wood antiques. She so enjoyed spending time with her family and with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Dorothy is survived by her family, Pamela (Melodie Linebaugh) Osborn of Buckley, Richard (Jackie) Osborn of Arizona, Michelle (Ty) Karns and Sherri (Dave) Amidon, all of Traverse City. Also surviving are her grandchildren, Robert (Rhiann Teal) Osborn, Ryan (Summer) Osborn, Heather (Dave) Martin and Curtis (Terra) Green, Jennifer Karns; and great grandchildren, Nikolas, Alyssa, Keyan, Carson, Stella, Alivia, Piper, Brooklyn, Leila and Riley. Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Robert F. Osborn, her son Robert L. Osborn; a granddaughter, Sara Karns and her siblings, Wayne Rourke, Mary Ellen Baird, Kathryn Martineau, Shirley Brown and Robert Rourke.

Visitation for Dorothy will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 31 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 pm. at The Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. The funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 1 at Trinity Lutheran Church with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Monroe Center Cemetery.

For those who wish to remember Dorothy through memorial contributions, the family would suggest Hospice of Michigan, 10850 E. Traverse Hwy, #1155, Traverse City 49684; The Homeless Prevention Program at Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency, 3963 Three Mile Rd., Traverse City, 49686 or to The Cherryland Humane Society, 1750 Ahlberg Rd., Traverse City, 49696.