Kristy O'Brien

Kristy Jo O'Brien, 42, passed away Thursday, April 16, 2009, at the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic, Iowa.

Kristy Jo Mardesen was born in Atlantic, Iowa, on March 18, 1967, the daughter of Mike and Barbara (Eades) Mardesen. She grew up in Anita, Iowa, and graduated from Anita High School in 1985.

On September 4, 1993, she was united in marriage to Jay K. O'Brien in Okoboji, Iowa. From this union 2 children were born, Sierra and Kyler.

Kristy was a good cook and enjoyed gardening, crafts, and watching butterflies. She also loved the time she spent with her grandson Langston. She was always surrounded by people.

She was a member of the Congregational Church in Anita.

Kristy worked at Willow Heights in Atlantic, was a program coordinator at Partnership for Progress and also worked with her husband at A-1 Steel Builders in Atlantic, Iowa, as a secretary.

Surviving Kristy are her husband, Jay O'Brien of Rochester, Minnesota; her children, Sierra O'Brien (Russ Milam) of Anita, Iowa, and Kyler O'Brien of Atlantic, Iowa; her grandson, Langston Milam of Anita, Iowa; her brothers and sisters; Marvin (Ilene) Mardesen of Elliott, Iowa, Curt (Denise) Mardesen of Elk Horn, Iowa, Devon Carr of Anita, Iowa, Marty (Janet) Mardesen of Wiota, Iowa, and Dana Williams of Atlantic, Iowa; sisters-in law; Mary Jo (Phil) Thielan of Omaha, Nebraska, Denise O'Brien (Larry Harris) of Atlantic, Iowa, Cinta Arens of Island Pond, Vermont, Laurine Price of Atlantic, Iowa, brothers-in-law; John (Gina) O'Brien of Ft. Dodge, Iowa, Mark (Trish) O'Brien of Atlantic, Iowa, and Tim (Chris) O'Brien of Waverly, Iowa, as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great nephews, relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Mike and Barb Mardesen; her maternal grandparents, Norman and Orene Eades; her paternal grandparents Franklin and Anna Mardesen; her parents-in-law, Joe and Doris O'Brien; and her brother-in-law, Terry Carr.

A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m., Friday, April 24, 2009, at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic.

Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa, is assisting the family with arrangements.