Margie Nell (Olson) O’Brien

Margie Nell (Olson) O’Brien 96, of Elkader, Iowa, died peacefully on Thursday, September 12, 2024, at the Kingston Court Assisted Living in Elkader. She was born September 8th, 1928, in rural St. Olaf, Iowa, to Millard and Valdene (Wettleson) Olson. She was baptized and confirmed at the Norway Lutheran Church near St. Olaf, Iowa.

Margie was educated in rural St. Olaf, Iowa and completed high school at Postville High School, graduating in 1946.

She married Edwin O’Brien, and ten children were born to this union. They farmed in Clayton County. Margie enjoyed music, cooking, baking, and being a home maker and “safety officer for the boys”. She was a quiet, humble, hard worker, taking care of her family, home and helping Edwin as she could. Margie definitely was the backbone of the family. She will be remembered for her baked breads and buns fresh from the oven when the kids arrived home on the bus from school. She loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and always made sure that she had fresh baked goods when they came to visit.

Margie was a 50 year member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Clermont. In her younger years, she was very active in church circles, working at various events and always checking to make sure that things were getting done and ready! Margie worked at Swiss Valley Farms in St. Olaf for 18 years.

Surviving are her children, Dennis O’Brien Kailua, Hi, Terry (Mary) O’Brien Rockford, IL, Steve (Barb) O’Brien, Asbury, IA, James (Dawn) O’Brien Parkville, Mo, Jeff (Leanne) O’Brien Cedar Rapids, IA, Lori (Joe) King Eagleton, WI, Greg (Sandra) O’Brien Decorah, Randy O’Brien Virginia Beach VA, David O’Brien New York, NY and Michael O’Brien Clermont, IA; grandchildren Carriee, Jason, Paul, Brian, Travis, Eryn, Emily, Brandon, Jordan, Brittany, Nicole, Alan, Sean, Molly, Megan, Nicole, Travis, Ashley and 25 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Millard and Valdene; husband, Edwin: brother Clifton; a daughter-in- law, Mary Rose and grand-daughter Kristy.

The family would like to thank Kingston Court assisted living facility and especially the staff for the kind and compassionate care, with a special thanks to Madison and Kaitlin.

Visitation: 9 AM to 10:15 AM - Monday, September 16, 2024, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Elkader

Mass of Resurrection: 10:30AM, Monday, September 16, 2024, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Elkader with Rev. John Haugen as Celebrant

Inurnment: St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery, Elkader

Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Elkader is assisting the Family.

Click here to visit the Leonard-Grau Funeral Home website.