Barbara Jo Martinson Greve O’Connell

Barbara Jo Martinson Greve O’Connell, the adopted daughter of Margerette and George Osum, was born on June 14, 1945, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She attended St. Mary’s Catholic School for Girls in Minneapolis. After graduation, she studied nursing in Chicago, Illinois. On February 19, 1964, in West Point, Nebraska, Barbara married Arlan Rodger Greve; three children were born to this marriage. For many years the couple lived in Omaha, Nebraska, where Barbara worked as a nurse at Methodist and Clarkson Hospitals. Arlan died in Bloomfield, Iowa, in 1983. In 2000, Barbara moved to Harlan, Iowa, to be near her children.

Barbara appreciated the clergy of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Harlan for their care and concern. She enjoyed spending time painting and writing short stories and poems.

Barbara J. O’Connell died on Thursday, February 19, 2004, at her home in Harlan, Iowa, at the age of 58 years, 8 months, and 5 days.

Preceding Barbara in death were her parents and her husband, Arlan Greve. She is survived by one daughter, Angela Riesgaard of Kimballton, Iowa; two sons, Michael Greve of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Mark (Kimberly) Greve of Westphalia, Iowa; nine grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.

A prayer service was held on Friday, February 27, 2004, in Harlan, Iowa, with Fr. Robert Hoefler of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Harlan officiating. The Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home in Harlan was in charge of the arrangements.