Robert Joseph O'Brien

Robert Joseph O’Brien, 88, passed away Friday, August 17, 2018 with his loving wife of 64 years and children by his side. Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, August 23, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Storm Lake. Burial will be at 3:00 p.m. in the Calvary Cemetery in Sioux City. Visitation will take place on Wednesday, August 22, 2018 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. with a rosary at 4:30 p.m. and a vigil service at 7:30 p.m. all at the church. The family asks, in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the S.O.S. store in Storm Lake. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements. Bob was born in Sioux City, Iowa on December 8, 1929 to Michael and Myrtle Toomey O’Brien. Following his graduation from Trinity High School in Sioux City in 1948, he joined the Navy, serving one year active and five years reserve. He earned his B.A. in Biology from St. Ambrose College in 1953. Bob worked for Nestle’s and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals before joining Armour & Company. In 1966, he went to work for Iowa Beef Packers in Denison and was named plant manager there in 1967. In 1983, he became the plant manager of the IBP pork plant in Storm Lake. He retired from IBP in 1999 as an assistant vice president and general manager. Bob married the love of his life, Nella Chayka, on June 19, 1954 in Sioux City at St. Boniface Church. After moving several times, they settled in Schleswig, Iowa where they raised their many children. Schleswig became such an important home for the O’Brien’s. In February 1967, son Kevin was killed in an accident. The support and love the townspeople of Schleswig showed the O’Brien’s, proved they were indeed “home”. In 1983, a move to Storm Lake began a new adventure for Bob and Nella. Now “empty nesters”, they found a new family in Storm Lake. Bob and Nella were known for giving their time and energy to community activities, supporting local businesses and attending any and all sporting events for St. Mary’s, Storm Lake HS and Buena Vista. Bob and Nella were honored to be asked to serve as Grand Marshalls of the Storm Lake High School Homecoming Parade. Bob served on numerous committees for advancing the causes of local students and his church, St. Mary’s Parish. He was most proud of his part in starting the S.O.S. store in 2005. This store helps with tuition assistance for those who attend St. Mary’s schools. This is one of his proudest accomplishments and he was so honored to work with all of the wonderful people who made it happen. Bob was a proud 3rd Degree Member of St. Mary's Council and joined the Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree Rosati Assembly 272, Storm Lake, in 2008. Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Nella; his children Bob Jr.; Kathleen and her children, Matt (Angela), Kelli (Matt), Kyle, Nathan (Caitlin) ; Timothy his wife Julie and their children, Stephanie (Brad), Brett (Aynsley) and Erin (Nick); Patrick, his wife Sherri and their children, Ian (Amanda) and Molli (Tyler); Colleen (O’Brien) Jackson, her husband, Mark , their son Christgen; Maureen (O’Brien) Hall and her husband, Ron; and his nine beautiful great-grandchildren. Also survived by his sister, Shiuvaun (O’Brien) Nasypany and her husband, Ray; sisters-in-law Gladys O’Brien, Doris O’Brien and Mary O’Brien; sister-in-law Irma Lorber and her husband, Chuck; brother-in-law, Leon Morgenstern and his many loved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son Kevin; brothers Don, Mike, Jack, Phil and Tom; his sister, Patty; his sisters-in-law, Carol Morgenstern, Alice Janney and Ruth O’Brien; and brother-in-law Albert Aiken, as well as nephews Danny Morgenstern, Danny O’Brien and niece Nora Aiken Scott. The funeral mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Storm Lake, with the Father Timothy Friedrichsen officiating, followed by a luncheon at St. Mary’s Parish Hall. Burial will be later that afternoon in Calvary Cemetery in Sioux City, with Father Bruce Lawler officiating. Visitation, Wednesday evening at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with rosary at 4:30. The family present 5 to 8 p.m., and a parish vigil service at 7:30 p.m. The family asks, in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the S.O.S. store in Storm Lake.

Robert Joseph O'Brien

December 8, 1929 - August 17, 2018