Patricia Osborne, 85, of Drayton, ND, passed away peacefully at Lutheran Sunset Home in Grafton, ND, on Saturday, April 18, 2026.

Patricia Ann Merritt was born in Parish Charity Hospital in Louisiana on June 7, 1940, to James and Ruth (Powell) Merritt. She married Fred Wesley Osborne on July 23, 1957, in Columbia, MS. After they married, they moved up to Drayton, ND, and lived there for many years. During their years in Drayton, Patricia worked for American Crystal Sugar Company. In 1993, after retiring from American Crystal, Patricia and Fred bought a home on Sandy Shores, MN. She continued to live there after Fred died in 1998. In 2000, she met Roy Sorrells, and they became good friends. They enjoyed playing cards, dancing, and spending time with family, until his passing in 2013. In 2022, Patricia moved back to Drayton. She later moved into Lutheran Sunset Home in 2025, where she lived until her passing. Patricia was a kind woman. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends, listening to country music, and reading her Bible. One special message that could be found in her Bible was, "Death is not the end, it is the gateway to Eternity." This message brought comfort to Patricia in her life, and it will certainly bring comfort to her friends and family in her death.

Patricia is survived by her children, Brenda (Donovan) Osborne-Donarski, of Warroad, and Lisa (Donnie) Staskivige, of Drayton; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; brothers, James (Betty) Merritt, Charles (Lenell) Merritt, Ray (Mavis) Merritt, and Donnell (Carla) Merritt, all of Pine; sisters, Bonnie Sue Stogner of Bogalusa, Joyce Magee, Anita (Darrell) Magee, of Pine, Judy Robinson, and Donna (Bruce) Penton of Folsom; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred Wesley; friend of 7 years, Roy Sorrells; parents, James F. and Ruth E. (Powell) Merritt; brother, Ron Merritt; Sister-in-law, Katherine Merritt; brother-in-law, Ansel Stogner; and niece, Misti Merritt.

A funeral service for Patricia will be held on Sunday, April 26 at 2:00 p.m. at Austin Funeral Chapel in Drayton, ND. Visitation will be held in the chapel for an hour prior to the service. Patricia's service will be live-streamed on YouTube for family and friends who are unable to attend. You can use the following link to access the live-stream (please note that sound will be muted during musical selections due to copyright laws): https://youtube.com/live/eppRUr_r55w?feature=share

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to Drayton Ambulance or Drayton Fire and Rescue.