O'Kane, Richard T. 1925-2004

OKANE, BURNS, MCCABE

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 4/18/2009 at 19:12:26

LE MARS, Iowa -- Richard T. "Dick" O'Kane, 78, of Le Mars died Tuesday, March 9, 2004, at his residence surrounded by his family following a lengthy illness.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Le Mars, with his son, the Rev. Patrick O'Kane, officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Le Mars. Visitation will be after 3 p.m. today, with a rosary at 4 p.m., a Knights of Columbus rosary at 7 p.m. and a Scriptural wake service at 7:30 p.m., all at the church. Visitation will resume at 9 a.m. until service time Saturday at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Feuerstein Funeral Home in Le Mars.

Dick was born July 17, 1925, in Sheldon, Iowa, the son of James and Lucy (Burns) O'Kane. He grew up on a farm near Hospers, Iowa, and graduated from Sheldon High School.

He farmed with his father for a few years prior to his marriage to Lucille McCabe on Dec. 27, 1948, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Sheldon. Following their marriage, the couple was engaged in farming in South Dakota and Iowa before moving to Le Mars in 1968. After moving to Le Mars, he was employed with Wells' Blue Bunny as a semi-truck driver. He was one of Blue Bunny's first over-the-road truck drivers. He was always very proud to work for Wells' Blue Bunny. He retired in 1990.

He was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, where he served on the parish council and was a Eucharistic minister. He also was a member of the Knights of Columbus Trinity Council 1466 of Le Mars. He was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching spectator sports, especially if his grandchildren were involved. He will be remembered for his keen Irish wit and sense of humor, and his deep commitment to his Catholic faith.

Survivors include his wife, Lucille; six children, the Rev. Patrick O'Kane, pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Early, Iowa, and St. Joseph's Church in Schaller, Iowa, Kathleen Kinney and her husband, Ward of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Bridget Banke and her husband, Mark of Omaha, Peggy Sitzmann and her husband, Roger of Le Mars, Mike O'Kane and his wife, Cindy of Elkhorn, Neb., and Tim O'Kane and his wife, Sandy of Omaha; 15 grandchildren, Katie and Brigid Konz, Adam, Nick and Tim Banke, Josh, Cassie, Shannon and Brian Sitzmann, Jacque, Sheena, Angie and Travis O'Kane and Will and Cole O'Kane; a brother, John O'Kane and his wife, Dolly of New Ulm, Minn.; a sister-in-law, Frances O'Kane of Le Mars; and his faithful dog, Bailey.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Bob O'Kane and his wife, Lois, and Ray O'Kane.

~Source: The Sioux City Journal, part of the Darrell E. Obituary Collection