George Osmond sang to his children on road trips. When his boys began to sing with him, he taught them to harmonize. In 1962, Alan, Wayne, Merrill and Jay made their television debut on a Disney show. That led to a seven-year gig on network television — at a time when there were only three networks in the country — on "The Andy Williams Show."

The Osmonds soon became international sensations. Osmondmania included the long hair and sideburns of the 1970s, a cartoon show and ultimately ABC's "Donny and Marie Show," which enjoyed a four-year run.

The second-youngest of George Osmond's children, Marie became the first female artist to debut at No. 1 on the country charts with "Paper Roses."

Through all the success, and a devastating crisis in which the family lost its fortune, the family maintained its image as squeaky-clean Mormons, an image they earned, said President Thomas S. Monson of the First Presidency of the LDS Church. "I've been very proud of the Osmonds. ... The Osmond family is a sermon."

President Monson said George Osmond was a man without guile. "You've had an excellent example," he told the family. "Have the sense to follow it."

The Osmonds became international ambassadors for their church, leading President Monson to say, "This family has set the greatest example of missionary work I've ever known."

Virl Osmond said his parents served "one of the longest-running missions in the church."

George and Olive's 60-year marriage began with an Abbott and Costello movie followed by dancing, Marie Osmond recalled. They enjoyed laughter and dancing the rest of their lives.

"They would leave their bedroom door open at night so they could hear us all," Marie said. "I'd hear them in their bed at night and they'd sit and tell each other jokes. As I would drift off to sleep, it was so comforting to hear the two of them laughing and laughing and laughing."

"He was the cutest man ever," she added later. "He had the best sense of humor. I've tried to laugh to avoid the tears."

She was grateful that she had spoken with him Monday and to learn that he watched her perform that night on "Dancing with the Stars." She dedicated the routine, set to "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," to her parents and wore her hair the way her mother Olive did.

"I feel that I've lost the most amazing man in my life," she said. "I'm so glad he's dancing with my mother now. He's dancing in the stars."

Each of the nine children expressed love for their father, often laughing through tears. Each also said they expect to see him again, professing their faith in the LDS teaching that families can be together after this life but clearly saddened by the separation from their father.