Jeanne K. O’Brien, age 69, Waupaca, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 30, 2017 following a brief and courageous battle with cancer.
She was born on May 15, 1948 in New London, the daughter of the late Robert and Delores (Koepsel) Thurk. She was united in marriage to Eugene O’Brien on November 26, 1966 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Lebanon. Jeanne began work at age five peeling potatoes for her aunt Goldie at Thurk’s Supper Club, she later worked at the Manawa Steak House and Valley Bank. She worked for many years together with her husband in the family business, O’Brien Builders. She had a strong business mind and took care of all the family’s investments. Jeanne was a tremendous cook, making legendary chocolate chip cookies and canning pickles. She was an avid genealogist, writing journals of her family. She also kept scrapbooks for her children detailing the major events in their lives. Jeanne loved to travel, especially to Las Vegas. She had a great love for her husband, children and grandchildren, and especially Elvis Presley.
Jeanne is survived by her husband Eugene; children, Dennis (Tracy) O’Brien, Hortonville; Patrick (Carmen) O’Brien, Manawa, and Jeffrey O’Brien, Waupaca; grandchildren: Ashley, Austin, Alison, Grace, Jack, Morgan and Stephen; siblings: Thomas Thurk, Julie (Paul) Capner, and Jill Thurk. She is further survived by many nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, stepfather Toby Thoma; her son, Steven James; sisters, JoAnne Henning and Janet Nieft.
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, January 11, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Town of Lebanon (New London). Fr. Jay Fostner will officiate. Visitation will be held at the Cline Hanson Funeral Home, New London on Wednesday from 4-7 p.m. followed by a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. and also at the church on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will be in the St. Patrick parish cemetery. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established for the Miracle League of the Fox Valley. The Cline & Hanson Funeral Home in New London is serving the family. www.clinehansonfuneralhome.com
The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the staff at ThedaCare (AMC) for their outstanding, loving care of Jeanne and her family.