Obituary for Joann O'Brien
Joann B. O’Brien was born on November 12, 1951 in Iowa City, IA, the daughter of Donald E. and Barbara E. (Lorimor) Wooge. Her father, Donald was a Methodist Minister who served the church, and moved the family often throughout Iowa. She attended many different schools in Iowa, and graduated from Jefferson High School in Independence, IA in 1971. On December 6, 1968 she married Gary F. O’Brien in Waterloo, IA. They made their home in Independence, where Joann worked for a short time at Kegler’s Dentistry. In 1982 Joann started a new career as a Pharmacy Tech at the Walmart in Independence. After 30 years of working to help people feel better, retired in 2012. After their retirement Joann and Gary purchased a home in Mission, Tx where they spent their winters. Joann was a member of the St. John’s Catholic Church and St. John’s Rosary Society in Independence.
She loved spending time with her family. Joann and Gary enjoyed going to Hotrod rallies and Car Cruises throughout Iowa. Together they purchased a school bus and converted it into a camper and would take their children camping and fishing during the summers. When their children were grown and out of the house, she would go on vacations with her sister Linda, and together they made several trips to Canada. Most of all she loved watching her children and grandchildren’s sporting events throughout the years.
Joann died on Friday October 30, 2020 at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City, IA.
She is survived by her husband of fifty-one years, Gary O’Brien, Independence, IA, her sons: Pat (Erica) O’Brien, Grimes, IA, and Tony (Nichole) O’Brien, Ankeny, IA, her grandchildren: Lauren (Mitch Overland) O’Brien, Allison (Austin) Rix, Kamryn O’Brien, Karson O’Brien, and Jackson O’Brien, a brother, Mark Wooge, Omaha, NE, a sister, Linda (John) Evers, Independence, IA, a half-brother, Lee (Amy) Conner, Auburn, NE, a step brother Dan (Jan) Conner, Muscatine, IA, two adopted sisters Jackie and Peggy, and many nieces and nephews.
Joann is preceded in death by her parents and stepparents, Donald (Evelyn) Wooge and Barbara (Eldon) Conner.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday November 4, 2020 at the St. John’s Catholic Church in Independence, IA with Rev. David Beckman Presiding. Burial will be held at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Independence. Visitation will be held from 4 PM until 7PM on Tuesday November 3, 2020 at the Reiff Family Center - Funeral Home & Crematory in Independence. A Rosary will be said at 4 PM Tuesday.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to Otter Creek Animal Shelter, Box 336 Hazleton, Iowa 50641
She loved spending time with her family. Joann and Gary enjoyed going to Hotrod rallies and Car Cruises throughout Iowa. Together they purchased a school bus and converted it into a camper and would take their children camping and fishing during the summers. When their children were grown and out of the house, she would go on vacations with her sister Linda, and together they made several trips to Canada. Most of all she loved watching her children and grandchildren’s sporting events throughout the years.
Joann died on Friday October 30, 2020 at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City, IA.
She is survived by her husband of fifty-one years, Gary O’Brien, Independence, IA, her sons: Pat (Erica) O’Brien, Grimes, IA, and Tony (Nichole) O’Brien, Ankeny, IA, her grandchildren: Lauren (Mitch Overland) O’Brien, Allison (Austin) Rix, Kamryn O’Brien, Karson O’Brien, and Jackson O’Brien, a brother, Mark Wooge, Omaha, NE, a sister, Linda (John) Evers, Independence, IA, a half-brother, Lee (Amy) Conner, Auburn, NE, a step brother Dan (Jan) Conner, Muscatine, IA, two adopted sisters Jackie and Peggy, and many nieces and nephews.
Joann is preceded in death by her parents and stepparents, Donald (Evelyn) Wooge and Barbara (Eldon) Conner.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday November 4, 2020 at the St. John’s Catholic Church in Independence, IA with Rev. David Beckman Presiding. Burial will be held at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Independence. Visitation will be held from 4 PM until 7PM on Tuesday November 3, 2020 at the Reiff Family Center - Funeral Home & Crematory in Independence. A Rosary will be said at 4 PM Tuesday.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to Otter Creek Animal Shelter, Box 336 Hazleton, Iowa 50641