O'Brien, Irene Ann (Praska) 1930 - 2018

OBRIEN, PRASKA, LANDA, BERKA, RASSMAN, LIDDLE, DENNER, SORENSON, SCOTT, MARKOV, GRUBBS, CRAIN, BONNETT

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/21/2018 at 14:37:30

Irene Ann Praska O’Brien, of Protivin, age 87, passed away on Monday, April 23, 2018, after a fully lived life.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 28, 2018, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Protivin, IA with Father Kyle Digmann presiding. Burial will be in Holy Trinity Cemetery Protivin, IA. Visitation will be held from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday, April 27, at Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home in Protivin, and will continue for one hour prior to Mass at the church. Family rosary will be at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, April 27 prior to the visitation. Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home in Protivin, IA is assisting the family.

She was born June 7, 1930 in Howard County, daughter of Frank and Bessie (Landa) Praska. On June 25, 1951, she married Ambrose Joseph O’Brien at Holy Trinity Church in Protivin. She attended Rudolphinum High School in Protivin and graduated from Assumption High School in Cresco. In later years, she also received continuing education courses.

Irene was a loving farm wife and devoted mother to her seven children and grandchildren. She touched everyone’s life with her infectious smile and extra giving heart. In addition to farming, she was an extraordinary Czech baker specializing in Kolaches and her own Cherry Delight creation; often having write ups in newspapers. She served as Cresco Senior Citizen Mealsite Manager for 19 years. She blessed many people with decorated cakes for weddings, graduations, birthdays and more, along with teaching cake decorating classes in her home to countless ladies from the community.

She was a woman of very strong faith and instilled this in her family. During the 19 years she drove to her job at the Cresco Senior Citizen Meal Site, she prayed the rosary on the way to work every day.

She was a founding member of the Domestic Executives for over 40 years. She was an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary for over 50 years. She demonstrated the art of kolache making at Protivin Czech Days for more than 20 years. She was also a talented cake decorator, having designed countless wedding, birthday, anniversary cakes, and many other special occasions. Irene was very kind-hearted and thoughtful always remembering each family member’s birthday, anniversaries and friends, with a card.

Irene enjoyed polka dancing and was often seen with her husband Amby dancing the most beautiful waltzes and lively polkas. She was a social butterfly, initiating competitive 500 games.

Irene was preceded in death by her husband Amby (2008), and her parents, a sister Georgine (Joe) Berka; and brother Leonard (Caroline) Praska; Survivors of Irene include: two sons, Mike of Clive, IA and Dan (Kim) of Ridgeway, IA; five daughters, Pam (Frank Rout) O’Brien of Lake Geneva, WI; Sheila (Dale) Rassman of Protivin, IA; Kathy (Loren) Liddle of Tripoli, IA; Eileen (Keith) Denner of West Des Moines, IA; and Robyn (Stan) Sorenson of Gurnee, IL.; 13 grandchildren: Deon Scott, Aaron Scott, Shelley Markov, Jill Grubbs, Kara Crain, Jason Rassman, Tami Bonnett, Jeff Rassman, Adam Rassman, Carrie Jo Rassman, David Liddle, Justin Liddle, and Ryan Liddle; 4 step grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, 6 step great-grandchildren; and her brother, Lester (Ruth) Praska.

On behalf of Irene, her family wishes to say an extra special thank you to Accura Healthcare in Cresco for the kind care of Irene during her 6 ½ year stay.

Source: Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home database

Holy Trinity Cemetery
 

Howard Obituaries maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
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