JoAnn O’Hara

Friday, June 17, 2022 3:00 pm

JoAnn Marie O’Hara, 86, of Castalia, passed away peacefully surrounded by her children on Saturday, June 11, 2022 at Gunderson Palmer Lutheran Hospital in West Union.

JoAnn was born on Sept. 2, 1935 to Edwin and Anna (Stee) Engelhardt in Castalia, Iowa. She graduated from Postville High School in 1953.JoAnn was united in marriage to Leo O’Hara on June 19, 1953 in Decorah,.Seven children were born to this union: 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 baby sitter. 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 Hospital Volunteer at both Decorah and Bartlesville, Oklahoma 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, Minn., Mark (Crystal) O’Hara, of  Kearney, MO, Traci Yorman (significant other, Chris), of Bartlesville, Okla., Lisa (Kirk) Kruse, of  Castalia, 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, Killian and Ezra O’Hara. Brothers; Ed (Nancy) Engelhardt, Roger (Becky) Engelhardt; brother-in-law, Michael (Rita) Klein, sister-in-law, Kate (Bob) Elder and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

JoAnn is preceded in death by her son, Scott O ‘Hara; parents, Edwin and Anna Engelhardt, late husband, Leo O’Hara; sisters, Marlus Brandt and her husband, Robert and Arlene Everman and her husband, Leon; sisters-in-law, Gail Craft and her husband, Lewis and Carol Engelhardt; mother and father in law, Lawrence and Romelda Klein; sons-in-law, Mark Yorman and Ray Beierman and nephew, Bruce Everman.

There will be a visitation held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 16, 2022 at Schutte-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Postville. There will also be a one-hour visitation before services at the church on Friday. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 17, 2022 at Zion Lutheran Church in Castalia. Burial will follow at Pleasant View Cemetery in Castalia. Schutte-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Postville is assisting the family with arrangements.