Sandra R. Osborn

Sandra Rae (Sayre) Osborn, 75, of Renwick, passed away on December 24, 2024, at the Iowa Specialty Hospital in Clarion, Iowa. She had been a resident at Clarion Wellness and Rehabilitation Center in Clarion, since March of 2024. 

Sandy was born to James and Phyllis Sayre on February 23, 1949, in Tacoma, Washington and was the third of what would become a family of 13 children. The family moved to the San Francisco Bay area, then El Paso Texas, and to Las Cruces, New Mexico before settling at the farm in rural Boone, Iowa (just a few miles West of Ames, Iowa). Being one of the older children in the family, Sandy helped to raise her younger siblings and had strong bonds with all of them throughout her life.

Sandy graduated from Ryan High School and was married in 1966. She raised her children, Amy and Rodd, in Jefferson, Iowa. Sandy worked in the kitchen of the Jefferson Hospital for several years. She always worked hard to give her kids all that she could, often working more than one job. Sandy married Joseph Osborn in 1992. The couple loved to spend time together driving around the country in Joe’s truck, playing cards, taking occasional casino trips, spending time with their grandkids, gardening, watching birds and just relaxing in the backyard. Over their 32 years together, Sandy and Joe raised three spoiled dogs (Sunny, Lady and Bella). Sandy devoted many years to Youth and Shelter Services in Ames, where she was the kitchen manager at residential homes for troubled youth (712 House and Rosedale Shelter) and served as a foster mom for young women. Sandy did much more than manage kitchens and prepare food at YSS, she also provided an enormous amount of nurturing and guidance to hundreds of YSS kids, almost all of whom endearingly called her “Mom”.

Sandy became a “Mom” to countless people over her lifetime, including many of Amy and Rodd’s childhood friends and at least a few people she met under other circumstances. She was a resident of the care center for just over 9 months and had already developed close relationships with several staff members. No one was ever better at listening intently, caring genuinely, and loving unconditionally than Sandy. She loved life, and there was nothing that brought more happiness to her than her kids and grandkids. They truly were the center of her universe, and if you knew her, you also knew plenty about each of them. Sandy gave it all and asked for very little in return. She was everything a mom/grandma/sister/wife strives to be and, the definition of a good human.

Sandy was preceded in death by her parents, brother James Sayre, sister Mary Fox, and sister-in-law, Nancy Sayre. Sandy is survived by her husband, Joe and her children, Amy (Robert Lennihan) Mooney of Morro Bay California; Rodd (Stacy) Mooney of Humboldt, grandchildren Isaiah Mooney of Des Moines; Quinn Mooney of Ames and Samson Mooney of Humboldt. She is also survived by ten siblings and two in-laws: Toni (Gene) Ridgway), John (Patrice) Sayre, Dick Sayre, Bob Sayre, Jerry (Stephanie) Sayre, Peg (Lee) Johnson, Jan (Steve) Barrett, Jo (Gary) Johnson, Anna (Shelley Tiffany) Sayre, Paul Sayre, sister-in-law, Kitty Sayre and brother-in-law, Richard Fox as well as a vast number of nieces and nephews.

The family will be present for visitation from 1:00-3:00 pm on Sunday, January 5th at the Humboldt Community Center (607 1st Avenue S, Humboldt, IA) followed by a short and informal memorial service to honor Sandy, beginning at 3:00 pm. The Mason-Lindhart Funeral & Cremation Service in Humboldt is in charge of the arrangements. www.masonlindhart.com