April 14, 1940 – February 27, 2026
Barbara Joan Overlie
“In the morning when I rise, give me Jesus” — African Spiritual Hymn
Barbara Joan Overlie, also known as B.J., died at her home on February 27, 2026. Family surrounded B.J., singing and thanking God for B.J.’s life as a wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Through every season of her remarkable journey, the lyrics of this spiritual have resonated in her life—In the morning when I rise, B.J.’s constant refrain was always the same: Give me Jesus.
B.J. was born in Clear Lake, Iowa, on April 14, 1940, to John and Barbara (Pederson) Osnes and baptized in the Ellington Prairie Lutheran Church near Miller, Iowa. The youngest of eight children, she grew up on the family farm and quickly earned her nickname B.J. from her older brothers, who would stand in the corner of the living room and toss her back and forth. Her grandmother, Jacobia Olina Hansina Zachariason Pederson, would scold the boys to no avail!
B.J. was known for her vivacious laugh, witty comebacks, homestyle meals, and her joy in playing trumpet and singing at church. If she wasn’t having a coffee chat with family and friends, you would find B.J. attending Bible studies, prayer groups, or striking up conversations with strangers at the grocery store—or anywhere she went! But what stood out above all else was B.J.’s relationship with and love for Jesus. You can have all the rest, give me Jesus.
B.J. graduated from Forest City High School in 1958 and attended Waldorf College. Her mother, Barbara, died from cancer during B.J.’s freshman year of college—a profound sorrow for this 19-year-old. B.J. and Warren were members of the Waldorf Choir, where B.J. was a soloist for Beautiful Savior. The choir sang this song at the service, which was a great comfort.
B.J. went on to St. Olaf College where she sang in the St. Olaf Choir. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary Education and enjoyed her years as a high school English teacher in Iowa, Minnesota and North Dakota, and later as a substitute teacher in northeast Iowa.
B.J. met Warren in high school, where they were both active in the Luther League.
B.J. and Warren corresponded by letter for three years while Warren, after graduating from Concordia College, taught at Numan Teachers College in Nigeria, a mission school of the Lutheran church. He returned to the U.S. in early July 1964, proposed to B.J. the next day, and they were married at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City, Iowa, six weeks later. They returned to Nigeria one year later to continue teaching at Numan Teachers College.
B.J. said she always wanted to be a teacher, missionary, and mother. While in Nigeria, they welcomed twin daughters, Britt and Lisa.
They returned to the United States in 1968 and moved to Prior Lake, Minnesota, where B.J. taught high school English and Warren attended the University of Minnesota to obtain his Master of Arts degree in History. While living in Prior Lake, their son, Dag Thomas, was born.
The family moved to Ashley, North Dakota, to own and operate The Ashley Tribune. B.J. and Warren lived in a “little house on the prairie” home and enjoyed their time in Ashley, making many friends and learning all about the wonderful German-Russian culture and foods.
Just about the break of day, give me Jesus. B.J. and Warren returned to Nigeria in 1980, where Warren worked on Zamunchi, a magazine in the Hausa language which focused on the Christian devotional life, church news and health issues. B.J. was seven months pregnant with their youngest daughter, Kirsten, when they arrived in Jos, Nigeria. Kirsten made her entrance into the world on December 26—a beautiful Christmas present.
B.J. and Warren returned to America in 1983, moving back to Ashley, North Dakota, for two years to publish and print Prairies magazine, then to Sioux Center, Iowa, to publish The Sioux Center News. They were Norwegians among the Dutch in Northwest Iowa, and they loved this rich culture and its delicious foods! B.J. and Warren retired from the newspaper in 1999 and moved to Northeast Iowa. They both worked as teachers for the next 20 years. Warren taught history at Northeast Iowa Community College. B.J. delighted her substitute classrooms with stories of her time in Nigeria—especially her snake stories!
And when I want to sing, give me Jesus. Throughout her life, B.J.’s song never wavered. O, when I come to die, give me Jesus.
B.J. is survived by her husband of 61 years and their four children: Britt (Walt Roberson), Lisa (Steve Krieg), Dag Thomas (Kevin Larson), and Kirsten (Castro Laicer). She is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be given to the Osnes Family Scholarship Fund at Waldorf University / 106 South 6th Street / Forest City, Iowa 50436.
In the morning when I rise, In the morning when I rise, In the morning when I rise, Give me Jesus.
Soli Deo Gloria (To God be the Glory)
Memorial services will be held at 11:00am on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at Good Sheperd Lutheran Church in Decorah. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday morning.
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