Faye Sloan Osburnsen

Faye Sloan Osburnsen passed away peacefully on March 23, 2005 at her winter home in Sun Village Surprise Arizona. She was born September 7, 1921 in Hayes Center Nebraska, 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 1930's the farm was lost and the family moved to Salem Oregon where Faye 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 the 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 MT, Butte MT and Farmington NM where she worked for Southern Union Gas for ten 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 opened The Shop Unique, a gift and art gallery in Farmington NM. 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 these 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 on March 29, 2005 at the Zuni clubhouse in Sun Village, Surprise AZ and another is planned for July in Big Arm Montana. A 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 Osburnsen, sons Ted (Elana) Sloan and Todd Sloan, granddaughter Stephany Conway and great-grandchildren Kayla & Jaylen and Larry's daughters Diane Osburnsen and Linda (Mike) Gwiazdon and grandson Shane (Tina) Reese & 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 your love and support in our sorrow.