Faye Sloan Osburnsen

SURPRISE, Ariz. — Faye Sloan Osburnsen 73, died peacefully on March 23, 2005, at her winter home in Sun Village, Surprise, Ariz.

She was born Sept. 7, 1931, in Hayes Center, Neb., one of five children of Maude and Filander Rathbun. Faye's childhood was spent on the family homestead in Nebraska.

During the Depression and sandstorms of the 1930s, the farm was lost and the family moved to Salem, Ore., where Fay graduated from high school and worked as a maid and berry picker. She then moved to Alaska and married Kermit Sloan and was employed by he Civil Aeronautical Administration as a code and radio operator at a remote weather and control station on Sheep Mountain.

CAA employment took them next to Superior and Butte in Montana and to Farmington, N.M., where she worked for Southern Union Gas for 10 years.

Faye enjoyed all forms of art and was an avid painter. Her favorite subjects were the local flowers, terrain and people. She and friend Ada started a gift and art gallery, The Shop Unique, in Farmington.

In June 1980 Faye married Larry Osburnsen and they lived in Africa and the Philippines where he was employed in land development. They traveled extensively during those years and then settled in Montana on Flathead Lake in the summer and Arizona in the winter.

Faye loved her year around gardens and hosting family and friends in her home.

A celebration of her life was held March 29 at the Zuni clubhouse in Sun Village in Surprise. Another is planned for July in Big Arm. Memorial has been set up in her name to assist Native American children to pursue their love of art.

She is survived by her husband, Larry; sons Ted (Elana) Sloan and Todd Sloan; granddaughter Stephany Conway; great-grandchildren, Kayla and Jaylen; and Larry's daughters, Diane Osburnsen and Linda (Mike) Gwiazdon and grandsons, Shane (Tina) Reese; and great-grandchildren, Heather, Adeline and Max; and grandsons, Scott (Tricia) Reese, Koan Mercer and Matt Gwiazdon.

She will be remembered for her warm smile, gracious and caring manner and love of life. Her family extends a big thank you to all for our love and support in our sorrow.