Kathleen “Katie” Rita O’Brien was born on November 20, 1924, in Marion, IA, the daughter of Edward M. and Anna W. (Timmer) Mullaley. She grew up in Marion and graduated from Marion High School in 1942. Kathleen attended Iowa State Teachers College (UNI) and graduated in 1946. Katie taught for two years in Algona, Iowa (1946-1948), moved to Oelwein and taught for two years at Oelwein High School (1948-1950). Later, Katie taught for one year at Sacred Heart School (1971-1972) then worked as a playground supervisor at Wings Park Elementary School for fifteen years retiring in 1987. Katie was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Rosary Society in Oelwein, a Eucharistic Minister, a member of Goodwill Ladies Auxiliary and a member of the Advocate Committee for Residents at Mercy Plus Nursing Care Facility.
She married Robert T. O’Brien on December 28, 1950 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Marion, Iowa and they celebrated 47 years of marriage. He preceded her in death on January 23, 1998. Katie was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She was dedicated to her family and they were her pride and joy.
Katie enjoyed playing golf and bridge and was an accomplished seamstress and quilter. She enjoyed playing gin rummy with her family, and especially her grandchildren. She was an avid sports fan and followed the Chicago Cubs, Iowa Hawkeyes, Oelwein Huskies, and Sacred Heart Tigers. Katie enjoyed watching her children and grandchildren participate in school activities. She was an active member of the community and instrumental in establishing the Group Home for person’s with disabilities.
Katie is survived by her children, Patricia (Craig) Beyer of Holstein, Iowa, Mary (Dave) Orman of Ottumwa, Iowa, John (Martha) O’Brien of New Orleans, Louisiana, Tim (Deb) O’Brien of Cedar Rapids and Jimmy O’Brien of Oelwein; twelve grandchildren, Gina, Kristen and Kelli Beyer, Peter O’Brien, Riley and Kayla O’Brien and Paul and Jay Janson, Bobby, Michael, Chris and Amber Orman; great-grandchildren, Jamison and Parker Janson; a sister, Agnes Kelly of Sylmar, California; and sisters-in-law, Dorothy Mullaley of Mt. Vernon, Iowa and Dorie O’Brien of Dubuque, Iowa. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; brothers, Bernard Mullaley and Michael Mullaley; sisters, Anna Schnoebelen and Mary Colby; and her parents.
Visitation: From 3pm - 7pm on Friday, November 5th at the Geilenfeld Funeral Home with a Rosary service at 3pm and a scripture service at 7pm.
Funeral Service: 10am on Saturday, Novemebr 6 at sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oelwein