A funeral Mass will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Yankton, at 10:00 a.m., Monday, September 8, with grandson, Father Jerome Ranek, officiating. Visitation will begin at 2 p.m. on Sunday at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home in Yankton, with family present from 4-7 p.m. Rosary begins at 7:00 p.m. with a Scripture service at 7:30 p.m. Burial will be approximately at 1:15 PM at St. Leo's Cemetery, Tyndall.

Louise Madeline Osborn was born on September 4, 1912, in Yankton, to Fred and Josephine (Stier) Osborn. Both parents died in the flu epidemic of 1918, and Louise was raised by her maternal grandmother. She attended Yankton pubic schools, graduating at age 16 from Yankton High School. After attending Southern State College in Springfield, SD, Louise taught all grades at McCrea School in rural Tyndall. A life-long, avid reader and believer in education, she encouraged her family to pursue advanced education and sought opportunities to learn new things.

Louise was united in marriage to John J. Ranek, her beloved husband of 51 years, on February 1, 1932, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Yankton. They farmed near Tyndall and with their four children were faithful members of St. Leo's Catholic Church. She was a devoted wife, mother and co-worker with her husband on the farm; she also worked as a clerk for the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture AAA in the 30's.

Louise held leadership roles in Altar Society, Parish Council at St. Leo's Catholic Church, St. Michael's Hospital Advisory Board, Hospital Auxiliary, the Women's Catholic Order of Foresters, Bon Homme County Extension clubs and the Cursillo Movement. She volunteered many hours as bookkeeper at Ranek's Implement and Applicance in Tyndall.

Widowed in 1983, she moved from the farm into Tyndall and contributed many hours in volunteer work for church and civic organizations. Louise organized Meals on Wheels, visited shut-ins, provided transportation to clinics and assisted with volunteer services at the Good Samaritan Home. In 1997, she moved to Yankton and volunteered at the Adult Day Program at Sacred Heart Hospital.

Louise enjoyed reading, Bible study, traveling, baking kolaches, making quilts for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She authored two chapters in a book published by the SD Humanities entitled The One Room Country School and contributed to a history of St. Leo's Parish. She treasured memories of travel to Spain, Venezuela. Italy, England, British Columbia, Hawaii Washington, D.C., New York, Florida, Oregon and many other points in the U.S. In her later years, she continued to read widely and enjoyed coffee breaks with friends. She treasured visits from members of her family, always taking great pride in the achievements and interests of each of her devoted grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Those who cherish her memory include her four childrenÑJohn C. (Jeanne) Ranek, Sioux Falls, SD; Sister Jeanne Ranek, OSB, Yankton; Janet McGinnis, Yankton; and David (Janet) Ranek, Edmond, OK; 16 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John, both parents, an infant brother, her sister, Marguerite Wagman, son-in-law, Gary McGinnis, and many other relatives and friends.

Memorials may be sent to the Benedictine Peace Center, 1005 West 8th Street, Yankton, SD 57078.

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