Lida Mae Osteen

Lida Mae (Dunlap) Osteen 1914-2010 Lida Mae was born on June 20, 1914, on a farm near Hardy, Oklahoma, to Cora and Ira Dunlap. She was one of 10 children. The brothers were Walt, Lee and Ray (Doc), and the sisters were Gertrude, Irma, Hazel, Callie, Millie, and Thelma. She married Ira (Ike) Osteen on June 2, 1940, and had three daughters Delores, Donna, and Janet. Lida was loved by eight grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren, three son-in-laws, and many nieces and nephews. Lida received her teaching certification from Las Vegas, New Mexico, and obtained her first teaching job at a school near Richards, Colorado. Lida lived her life as an example to all who came in contact with her. She was a caring mother, devoted wife, and great story-teller to the grand children. She loved all the memories of the Dunlap Ranch and contributed a lot to the upkeep of the Ranch house after the brothers were gone. She could work a home comfort stove like it was a modern day gas stove and was a wonderful cook. Lida, along with her sisters were school teachers, so to be heard they learned to talk loudly. So when all the sisters would get together they could be heard in the next county. That is why the men of the families were as quiet as they couldn’t get a word in edge wise. Lida was an excellent quilt maker, created beautiful crewel embroidery, hooked rugs, and needlepoint and provided children and grandchildren with visual memories that will last for the great grandchildren. She assisted with displays and cataloging exhibits at the blue building during fair, and volunteered many years organizing the children and pets part of the annual parade. Lida was a proud member of Springfield Women’s Club and was a faithful member of Sandy Soil Church of Christ. As a Mother she was tops in caring for her daughters and their families. If you heard “oh merciful heavens” you knew you were in for some sage advice. She would remember details of the past and relate them in stories told with feeling and love. Lida Mae was deeply saddened when she lost her husband Ike in 2007, after 68 years of marriage; however, her grand children and great grand children added spark to her life. She loved Springfield and wanted to stay at home in her last years. Lida Mae is survived by sisters Millie (James) Nidey of rural Springfield, and Thelma Richardson of rural Campo, daughters, Delores and John Neal of Pueblo, Donna and Bill Watson of Henderson, and Janet and Ken Hostetler of Aurora, and a sister-in-law, Mick Warman of Springfield. Lida Mae lived to 95 ½ years and they were all great years even the hard ones and her family will miss her very very much!