Helen Jane Leah Osowski

Jane L. Osowski, 87, of Grand Forks, ND, passed away peacefully on September 15, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family and under the care of HIA Hospice.

Helen Jane Leah was born July 24, 1939, the twelfth of sixteen children, to Henry and Ernestine (Lessard) French. She graduated from St. Aloysius Catholic School in Oakwood, ND.

Jane married Donald “Donny” Osowski, and together they made their home near Oslo, MN, where they raised their eight children. Jane was a devoted wife and mother who poured her love into caring for her family. She shared her many talents through sewing, gardening, canning, and, perhaps most memorably, baking. She was especially known for her homemade mocha bars, caramel rolls, and her beloved “Grandma Buns.”

Jane looked forward to working in the scale house during the sugar beet harvest season. Once all of her children were in school, she continued her formal education, graduating from Aakers Business College. She later very much enjoyed working in the bookkeeping department at Bremer Bank in Grafton.

Jane and Donny loved dancing and enjoyed traveling together to visit family and friends throughout the United States. They shared 57 years of marriage before Donny’s passing in 2017.

Following Donny’s passing, Jane moved to Whitefish, MT, where she spent three special years enjoying life with her daughter Lisa and her family. She later returned to North Dakota and made her home in Grand Forks.

After being diagnosed with chronic kidney failure in 2017, Jane remained committed to attending dialysis regularly. Her perseverance was deeply rooted in her faith and in her heartfelt desire to continue praying for each member of her family—that they would strengthen their faith and grow in their love for Jesus.

Jane is survived by her children: Lori (Bill) Colleran, Renae (Paul) Bjorg, Michelle (Randy) Stach, Janelle (Darren) Studney, Terry Osowski, Michael (Michelle) Osowski, Eric Osowski, and Lisa (Brian) Szady; her grandchildren: Liam Colleran, Bianca (Jake) McLellan, Zachary (Dee) Waddell, Megan (Tyler) Hest, Benjamin Norling, Thomas (Sydney) Stach, Emily (Noah) Self, Anna Studney, Joseph, Christopher, Nicole, and Sara Osowski, Hannah and Hunter Szady; and her great-grandchildren: Ella (David) Hudson, Anna, Joshua, Karina, Caleb, Olivia McLellan, Lily Ehlers, Ava Waddell, and Scott Self.

She is also survived by her sisters, Rose Kostecki, Germaine (Aime) Porkzywinski, and Geraldine (William) DiRocco, as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, and godchildren.

Jane was preceded in death by her husband, Donald “Donny” Osowski; her parents; four brothers; eight sisters; and her grandson, Ronald Norling III.

Jane will be remembered for her unwavering faith, her devotion to her family, and the love she so freely shared with those around her. Her favorite saying beautifully reflected the faith by which she lived: —“I love you, but Jesus loves you more!”

Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, September 19 2026 at 11:00 A.M. at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 216 Belmont Road in Grand Forks, ND. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at the Riverside Cemetery in Oslo, MN. The funeral service will be live streamed on the Tollefson Funeral Home Website.