Ethel O'Byrne

ethel o'byrne
Ethel O'Byrne age 93 of New Hampton, Iowa died Saturday, December 7, 2013, at Mercy Medical Center in New Hampton. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, December 11, 2013, at Holy Family Parish - St. Joseph Center, New Hampton with Rev. Mark Osterhaus celebrating the Mass. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, New Hampton with Linus Voves, Mike Pickar, Virgil Pickar, Bill Busta, Mike Friedhof and Allen Heit serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are Michael Bartz, George Bouska and Wilfred Walz. Friends may greet the family 3:00 - 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 10, 2013, at the Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home in New Hampton where there will be a 4:00 p.m. rosary and a 6:30 p.m. parish scripture service. Visitation continues an hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. Ethel Louise O’Byrne was born June 8, 1920, in Spillville, IA, the daughter of Edward and Louise (Klimesh) Herold. She was baptized and confirmed into the Catholic Faith at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Spillville. Ethel attended school in Spillville and then attended high school in Decorah, where she was a 1938 graduate. She then graduated a normal training and began teaching in Winneshiek County rural country schools. She continued her education through the Iowa State Teachers College while teaching first through eighth grade in country school. She met her future husband, Merle Joseph O’Byrne at a dance in Lawler and on January 10, 1945, the couple were married at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Spillville.They were blessed with two daughters, Jeanne and Carole. Ethel worked as a farm wife and mother while also working as a nurses’ aid at St. Joseph Hospital. She later worked as a cook in the New Hampton High School cafeteria, retiring in 1982. Ethel loved vegetable and flower gardening and was an accomplished seamstress, sewing clothes for her family and grandchildren. She also quilted and crocheted items for her family. Over the years, she loved many pets and most recently her kitties, “Ole and Holly”. Last but not least, her Czech heritage made her a wonderful cook and baker. Ethel is survived by her two daughters, Jeanne Marie (Jerry) Heit of New Hampton and Carole Ann O’Byrne of Burnsville, MN; three grandchildren, Scott (Shannon) Heit of Evansdale, IA, Craig (Sara) Heit of Lakeville, MN and Amy (Todd) Eschweiler of Johnston, IA; seven great-grandchildren, Taylor, Nathan, Emma, Greta, Tori, Audrey and Paige. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Merle on March 19, 1991; three brothers, Edward Herold, Lloyd Herold and an infant brother; one sister, Gladys Wagner.

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  1. Dear Jeanne & Carole, We were so very saddened to hear of your mother’s passing, and so sorry we didn’t hear of it until today. We have many fond memories of your mother. She was such a sweetheart. She will be sorely missed and we are keeping you in our prayers, and your mother in our memories.

  2. Dear Jeanne and family – Your Mom and Dad are together for the holiday. Lots of good memories over the years, hauling milk for your folks, the storm that took your folks barn and doing business with your folks for so many years. Our sympathies to you and your family during this time. Jeannie and Dan Scott

  3. Dear Jeanne & Carole – I have such fun memories as a little tyke playing in your stream, scouting around your farm, and snacking in your kitchen. Your folks were so proud of both of you (as was our family). You were the best neighbors in the world – and your mom was a sweetheart. I send sympathies to you both, and wish I could be there to give you each big bear hugs. You are very fortunate to have such a loving mother, and I consider myself fortunate to have her as my guardian angel on the farm through third grade. ‘Ronnie’ Ryan

  4. Dear Jeanne, Carole, and family you had a mother who was always friendly and caring. She will be missed. You have our sympathy and prayers. Ginny & Stan laures

  5. To Jeanne, Carole and all of Ethel’s family, we wish to extend our deepest sympathy! Ethel was such a grand lady. We enjoyed our visits with her. I know you will miss her, but you have so many memories to hold on to. You are in our prayers. Kathy and George Bouska

  6. Jeanne and family: You have my sympathy on the loss of your mother. I enjoyed our visits very much. She was a kind, loving lady. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

  7. Jeanne, Carole and family, Our deepest sympathy on your loss. Remembering always your beautiful and caring Mom. She is looking over all of you now. Sincerely, Margaret and Janice Berry

  8. To the family—-remember well your kind and patient mother when she worked as an aide at the hospital. I was able to work with her and she truly was an angel to patients and co-workers. Know she has a special place in heaven. Kathy Arens

  9. To all of Ethel’s family: My deepest sympathy for your loss. I always enjoyed visiting with Ethel. She was such a sweet and kind person. May God be with all of you and keep you in His peace.

  10. Mrs O’Bryne was always such a nice, dear woman. She was a woman of constant smiles and had such a giving and warm heart. While I barely remember those days when Ron, Tom and I would go to her farm house down the road, I do remember chickens and the gravel road leading up to the house. Mrs. O’Bryne always gave lots of lovin to all the little ones. In the years that have passed, she was always caring and concerned about what we were doing in our lives. I am confident she has a special cloud in God’s kingdom. Blessings to her family who had the privilege of a long life with this wonderful woman. Ann (Ryan) Block

  11. Our deepest sympathy goes out to Grandma Ethel’s family. She was such an awesome special person and heaven truly gained a special angel. We wont be able to attend the services but your families will be in our prayers as you face the days ahead. Harry and Mary king and families

  12. Dear Jeanne , Carol, and family, Sending our deepest sympathy, your mom was such a kind lady. She’s up in heaven with the whole gang now! Debbie Mcbride hayreh

  13. Jeanne and Carol ~ Lots of fond memories going back to when your family first moved on that farm till now. Keeping your family in our thoughts and prayers. Ethel is now in a better place and smiling down. – Linus and Linda

  14. Jeanne and family–so sorry for your loss. I remember she gave me some hostas….my yard is now full of them, good memory of her! Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Lynn and Dee Boeding

  15. Jeanne and family -we are so sorry for your loss and you are in our thoughts and prayers. Loren and Donna Dietzenbach

  16. Jeanne and Family – You have my sympathy on the loss of your mother. I know you did a great job doing everything that you could for her. Verna

  17. Jeanne and Carol….your mother was such a sweetie! We worked with her for years at the Farm Service Agency and she was such a pleasure to wait on, so pleasant and we could sure tell her love of the land! May you find peace in your memories….Connie Straw

  18. Sending our sympathy to the family. Ethel was a very friendly lady. It was always fun to visit with her in the bank.

  19. We remember Ethel with fondness. We had some interesting conversations when she was able to get out and about.

  20. So sorry to hear about your Mother. I will miss her stopping by the Rosaburger stand and seeing her smiling face. She was a sweet lady. Alot of good memories! Prayers are with you all

  21. Our most sincere sympathy to you and your families. Ethel was a very kind and wonderful person, may she rest in peace


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