O'Brien, Kathleen Rita 'Katie'

Kathleen Rita  “Katie” O'Brien, 85, of 708 East Charles, Oelwein, died Tuesday evening, Nov. 2, 2010, at Mercy Living Plus after a short illness. Services: 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 6, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Oelwein, with Father Harry Koelker officiating. Burial: Woodlawn Cemetery. Visitation: 3 to 7 p.m. Friday at Geilenfeld Funeral Home in Oelwein, with a rosary service at 3 p.m. and Scripture service at 7 p.m.                                            

Survivors include her children, Patricia (Craig) Beyer of Holstein, Iowa, Mary (Dave) Orman of Ottumwa, John (Martha) O'Brien of New Orleans, Tim (Deb) O'Brien of Cedar Rapids and Jimmy O'Brien of Oelwein; seven grandchildren, Gina, Kristen and Kelli Beyer, Peter O'Brien, Riley and Kayla O'Brien and Bobby Orman; a sister, Agnes Kelly of Sylmar, Calif.; and sisters-in-law, Dorothy Mullaley of Mount Vernon and Dorie O'Brien of Dubuque. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert (Jan. 23, 1998); brothers, Bernard Mullaley and Michael Mullaley; sisters, Anna Schnoebelen and Mary Colby; and her parents.

Born Nov. 20, 1924, in Marion, Iowa, the daughter of Edward M. and Anna W. (Timmer) Mullaley, she married Robert Thomas O'Brien on Dec. 28, 1950, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Marion. Katie taught in Algona and Oelwein. She worked as a playground supervisor at Wing Park Elementary, retiring in 1987. She graduated from Marion High School in 1942 and Iowa State Teachers College (UNI) in 1946. Katie was a member of Sacred Heart Church and rosary Society, a Eucharistic Minister and a member of Goodwill Ladies Auxiliary.

A memorial fund has been established in Katie's name to go to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Alternative Living Corporation (Group Home) or River Hills Special Needs School in Cedar Falls.

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