Jean O'Hare

Jean Edna O’Hare, 93, of Waukon died Saturday, June 9, 2018 at the Good Samaritan Society in Waukon. Mass of Christian Burial was held Tuesday, June 12 at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Waukon. The Rev. Mark Osterhaus was the Celebrant and Concelebrant was the Msgr. Ed Lechtenberg. Interment was at St. Mary’s Catholic Church Cemetery, Hanover.

Jean Edna Phillips was born March 28, 1925 in Conover, part of Winneshiek County. She was the daughter of Edward and Mollie (Hines) Phillips. She married Thomas Francis O’Hare, Jr. April 7, 1945 in Decorah. Jean and Tom lived in Cedar Rapids where they worked at Collins Radio for a short time before returning to Decorah and eventually Waukon. They farmed in French Creek Township, Hanover area and in 1968 moved to Waukon.

Jean’s days were spent as a busy homemaker to her large family until all the children were in school. She then worked at Northern Engraving in Waukon for 15 years. In her retirement, she babysat area children and her grandchildren. All the grandchildren and great-grandchildren have many happy memories of Grandma’s house. They were often treated to her homemade cookies and pancakes.

Jean also enjoyed gathering with her brothers and sisters. The visits with her nieces and nephews were a highlight of her day. Jean was an avid gardener and had a green thumb when it came to taking care of plants. She was well known for her homemade noodles and bread, along with her famous baked beans. She would never turn down a game of cards or a cup of coffee with cream.

Jean has been a member of St Patrick Church in Waukon for over 50 years and is a former member of St. Mary’s in Hanover.

Jean is survived by her children, Michael (Virginia) O’Hare of Lansing, Barbara (Maynard) DePuew of Las Vegas, NV, Patricia (Ronald) Jones of St. Louis, MO, Robert (Sally) O’Hare of Waverly, Ricky (Nancy) O’Hare of Lake of the Ozarks, MO, Marsha (Mike) Allen of Onalaska, WI, Deb Winke of Waukon, Karen (Randy) Weber of Lansing, Greg (Tracy) O’Hare of St. Louis, MO, Kristine (Mark) Platte of Mount Vernon and Scott (Pam) O’Hare of West Union; 28 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; several nieces and nephews; two sisters-in-law; and one brother-in-law, Ray (Karen) O’Hare of Waukon. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Thomas, April 7, 2006; and 10 brothers and sisters.

Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home in Lansing assisted the family.