JoAnn O'Hara
JoAnn Marie O’Hara, 86, of Castalia passed away peacefully surrounded by her children Saturday, June 11, 2022 at Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital in West Union. Funeral Service were held Friday, June 17 at Zion Lutheran Church in Castalia. Burial followed at Pleasant View Cemetery in Castalia.
JoAnn was born September 2, 1935 to Edwin and Anna (Stee) Engelhardt in Castalia. She graduated from Postville High School in 1953.
JoAnn was united in marriage to Leo O’Hara June 19, 1953 in Decorah. Seven children were born to this union, including Michael, Lynn, Scott, Mark, Traci, Lisa and David.
JoAnn began her working career as a cashier at the Castalia grocery store. During her years as a stay-at-home mom, while her kids were in school, she was an at-home babysitter. JoAnn then furthered her career by working throughout her life as a server and bartender at many food and local gathering establishments in northeast Iowa.
JoAnn began her walk of faith by being baptized and later confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church where she remained a proud member. She had faith that could move mountains. JoAnn was a Sunday School Teacher, Cub Scout Leader, Confirmation Mentor, Ladies Aide Member, and a Hospital Volunteer at both Decorah and Bartlesville, OK hospitals.
JoAnn enjoyed crossword puzzles and reading, specifically the Little House on the Prairie series, among many others. She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, being at church, and with all her additional family and friends.
JoAnn is survived by her children, Mike (Mary) O’Hara of Decorah, Lynn Beiermann of Owatonna, MN, Mark (Crystal) O’Hara of Kearney, MO, Traci Yorman (significant other, Chris) of Bartlesville, OK, Lisa (Kirk) Kruse of Castalia and David (significant other, Colette) O’Hara of Iowa City; seven grandchildren, Jenny (Dan) Macken, Kristi (Travis) Hiatt, Aaron (significant other, Gretchen) Kruse, Sullavan (Maggie) O’Hara, Kelsey (Steve) O’Hara-Older, Tara (Devon) Gray and Maria O’Hara; five great-grandchildren, Trevor and Trey Hiatt, Remington Gray, and Killian and Ezra O’Hara; her brothers, Ed (Nancy) Engelhardt and Roger (Becky) Engelhardt; her brother-in-law, Michael (Rita) Klein; her sister-in-law, Kate (Bob) Elder; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
JoAnn is preceded in death by her son, Scott O’Hara; her parents, Edwin and Anna Engelhardt; her husband, Leo O’Hara; her sisters, Marlus (Robert) Brandt and Arlene (Leon) Everman; her sisters-in-law, Gail (Lewis) Craft and Carol Engelhardt; her mother- and father-in-law, Lawrence and Romelda Klein; her sons-in-law, Mark Yorman and Ray Beierman; and a nephew, Bruce Everman.
Schutte-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Postville assisted the family with the arrangements.
