Mary Ruth O'Brien

Mary O’Brien, 89, of Rush City passed away peacefully surrounded by her family Monday, December 16, 2013. Mary was born June 6, 1924 in LeCenter, MN to Raymond and Mary (Spence) Warnemunde. After graduating from LeCenter High School, she attended MN School of Business in Minneapolis. She worked at Honeywell until marrying her husband of almost 63 years. She was united in marriage with John O’Brien at the Basillica of St. Mary in Minneapolis in January 1951. Together they had seven children. Mary spent her life as a homemaker. She was well-loved for her generosity and loving kindness through her years. Mary was a very social woman who loved reading, baking and cooking for her family and friends. She and John loved to travel and visited all 50 states and all of the Canadian provinces. One of their most memorable trips was to Ireland, where they explored their proud Irish heritage. Mary shined in her community work, volunteering with the local VFW, church, religious education (CCD), school, and Meals on Wheels. She is survived by her husband John O’Brien of Rush City, MN and her sister Eileen (Don) Falk of Clark Lake, MI. Her five children: Michael (Beth) O’Brien of Fordville, ND; Tim (Kristi) O’Brien of Bemidji, MN; Maureen (Brad) Johnson of Walker, MN; Colleen (Tim) Holland of Cambridge, MN; and Kevin (Colleen) O’Brien of Amery, WI. Twelve grandchildren: Jasmine (Josh) Backstrom, Johnathan O’Brien, Sarah O’Brien; David (Sarah) Mell, Daniel (Courtney) Mell, and Ashley Mell; Dominic Loud; Travis Johnson, Brett Johnson; Tracy (Asher) Judd Holland, Casandra Holland, Preston Holland; Patrick, Kelly, Joseph O’Brien. Five great grandchildren: Michael Mell, Johnathan Mell, and EmmyLou Mell; Alexa Judd; and Danny Mell. Mary is preceded in death by her parents Mary Agnes and Raymond David Warnemunde, sister Alice Jacques, two children Patrick James O’Brien and Kathleen Mary O’Brien Mell, granddaughter Trisha Swanson and great granddaughter Alivia Judd. Father Shane Washinger will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial; 11am Thursday (12/19/13) with visitation 2 hours prior all at Sacred Heart Church in Rush City. A spring interment is planned in Le Centre, MN. The family prefers memorials go to the Alzheimer’s Association in lieu of flowers. Funeral arrangements for Mary O’Brien are entrusted to the Funeral & Cremation Service of Rush City *Olson Chapel* www.funeralandcremationservice.com