Josefa U. (Schramm) Osborn

Josefa Osborn, age 97, died peacefully with her daughter at her side on May 13, 2022. Born June 21, 1924 in Hermannsberg, Germany, she was the fourth daughter born to Ludwig and Anna (geb. Hofmann) Schramm and had been expected to be a “Josef”. Her parents welcomed two sons and another daughter after her birth making her the middle child of a large, loving family. The siblings remained close their entire lives and her sister Margarete and brother-in-law Joseph, even moved their family to America so that Josefa would not be alone.

“Sefa”, as she was called by her family, met, and fell in love with Ezra “Slim” Osborn in 1946 while he was stationed in Germany during the post-war occupation. They married and came to America in 1950 when Slim’s military career brought them to Fort Bragg, North Carolina. They were stationed in three additional states before being transferred to Fort Meade and buying their home in Glen Burnie, Maryland in 1956. Two tours in Germany followed in the late 1950’s during which their long-awaited and only child, Joanna, was born.

Josi, as she became known in America, was easy to like. She enjoyed gardening and could make anything grow and thrive. She was a talented seamstress, making many of her own clothes and many outfits and Halloween costumes that her daughter still treasures. She loved to dance the polka at Blobs Park with her friends and daughter. She loved to entertain family and friends. Josi had a generous spirit and volunteered with the Red Cross, for her church parish – Holy Trinity (now Christ the King), her daughter’s school (now Arthur Slade), and the Glen Gardens Civic Group and Block Watch.

Educated in Germany, Josi put her business college degree to work at many interesting positions as she traveled from base to base while an Army wife. While her daughter was young, she worked part-time to be away only during school hours but later returned to full-time work, most recently for over 20 years as legal secretary to five attorneys at the Office of the Public Defender in Baltimore. Josi served for several years as a Book Judge for the Anne Arundel County Board of Elections. Josi was a member of the VFW Auxiliary and chartered Glen Burnie Toastmasters Club #5078 where she recently cut the cake at the 35th anniversary celebration; she served as an officer for most of her years of membership.

Josi had collections of Hummels, angels, and garden gnomes, but mostly she collected friends. Everywhere she lived and worked, she drew people to her with her big heart and her caring and empathetic ways. She made friends during the military years; in her Glen Burnie neighborhood; through her many volunteer activities; in her work life; and through her involvement in the Red Cross, the VFW auxiliary, Toastmasters, and the Pascal Center Bereavement Group. She even befriended some of the customers to whom she had sold World Book encyclopedias.
Josi was a devoted mother and “Oma” (grandmother) and especially enjoyed a family vacation last August when all four generations of her immediate family spent a week together in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Josi was predeceased by her parents, Ludwig and Anna Schramm; her husband of 61 years, Ezra Osborn; her siblings Maria (Selma) Braeutigam, Margarete (Joseph) Betzwieser, Rosa (Adam) Reck, Ferdinand (Melitta) Schramm, Klara (Edgar) Lorz and Ludwig Schramm; as well as brothers-in-law George (Oleta) Osborn and John “Jake” (Marie) Osborn and several nieces and nephews.

Josi is survived by daughter Joanna Lieuallen, grandchildren Anthony Lieuallen and Laura Lieuallen, and great-grandchildren Michael and Dominic Scocco, sisters-in-law Christa Schramm and Frances (John) Myers, and brother-in-law Dwight (Chris) Osborn; and many nieces and nephews and their families in Germany and across America.

Josi influenced many lives and will be celebrated widely and missed by all. She will be laid to rest with her husband, Ezra, in Arlington National Cemetery on August 24, 2022. A service will also take place on that date at 2:45 p.m. at the Old Post Chapel, 204 Lee Ave., Fort Myer, VA 22211. According to Fort Myer guidelines, please bring a valid ID and plan to arrive no earlier than 2:00 p.m. For further details, please contact Stallings Funeral Home.