Loretta Rose O'Brien

OBRIEN, FISHER, DONOHOE, SULLIVAN, LOCHER, JOLLY, MOONEY, BOYD

Posted By: Tara (email)
Date: 6/19/2009 at 15:11:28

Loretta Rose O’Brien, 86 of Iowa City, passed away peacefully Wednesday, October 17, 2007 at home.

Loretta Rose was born on Aug. 28, 1921, in Spring Valley, MN, the daughter of H. August (Gus) Fisher and Ella Donohoe. Her childhood years were spent in Perryville, MO, and then the family moved to the Iowa City area in 1940. Loretta attended Ottumwa Heights College, and worked at Collins Radio. She married the love of her life, Ralph O’Brien, on January 31, 1948, in Morse. In their 49 years of marriage, they both enjoyed Hawkeye sports and cheering on Notre Dame. For 35 years, she worked in the Ladies Ready to Wear department at J.C. Penny. She often recalled the fun she had with her customers and coworkers. She enjoyed gardening, canning pickles and tomatoes, frying chicken on the stove, and making holidays unforgettable with her famous turkey stuffing.

Loretta Rose loved to dance – practicing her steps at a young age with her brother Vern. She enjoyed Big Band music at the Dancemore. She was easily entertained by her great grandson, Luke, who seems to have inherited her zest for dancing. The joy of her life was spending time with her family, especially when her grandchildren came home. Her readiness to laugh, her witty sayings, and her love will remain in our hearts always.

Loretta is survived by her daughter, Janet Sullivan, and her husband, Michael, of Iowa City; her two granddaughters: Michelle A. Sullivan of Phoenix; Kathleen M. Locher and her husband, Nick of Frisco; and great grandson, Luke M. Locher; her brothers: J. Vernon Fisher of Williamsburg and John Fisher and his wife, Opal, of Wellman; her sister, Gladys Jolly, of St. Louis, MO; and many nieces nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her sisters: Eunice Mooney and Mary Boyd; and her brother, Ralph.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Catholic Community Foundation for Regina.