Remembering Cleo Ann O’Connor: Obituary on NorthIowaToday
Cleo Ann O’Connor, a beloved member of the Rudd community, passed away peacefully at the age of 90 on December 30, 2024, surrounded by her loved ones at the Rockwell Community Nursing Home. Her Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, January 3, 2025, at the Rudd United Methodist Church, with her final resting place at the Evergreen Cemetery in Rudd, Iowa. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the services at the church.
A Life Well-Lived
Cleo was born on June 25, 1934, in Shell Rock, Iowa, to Lloyd and Minnie Grap. She was a graduate of Charles City High School and dedicated many years of her life to working for DeKalb Seed Corn. In 1958, she married Merrill B Bartz, with whom she had two children, Dean and Diane. After Merrill’s passing in 1971, Cleo found love again with John (Jack) O’Connor, whom she married on October 22, 1979. Together, they built a life in Rudd, where Cleo worked briefly at Hoover’s Hatchery and served as the financial secretary of the Rudd United Methodist Church for an extended period. However, her true calling and greatest joy lay in being a devoted wife and mother to her children.
A Woman of Faith and Strength
Cleo was known for her quiet demeanor, unwavering faith, and remarkable strength. Despite facing challenges and pain, she rarely complained and always extended a helping hand to those in need. Her family considered her a cornerstone of their lives, appreciating her boundless love and steadfast support. Cleo found joy in simple pleasures like strolls around town and Rudd Lake, engaging in card games, knitting, tending to her plants, reading, and sharing afternoon coffee with neighbors and friends. Above all, she delighted in cooking and baking for her loved ones, with her desserts being a highlight at every meal.
A Legacy of Love
Cleo is survived by her husband of 45 years, John (Jack), her son Dean Bartz (Doreen Dralle), daughter Diane Zabel (Ted), step-children Brenda Jorgenson, Tim (Susan) O’Connor, and Steve O’Connor, as well as several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cherished friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, first husband Merrill Bartz, siblings Eileen, Harlan, Kenneth, and Betty, and great-grandchild Wesley Bartz.
In gratitude, Cleo’s family expresses heartfelt thanks to the dedicated staff of the Rockwell Community Nursing Home for their compassionate care during Cleo’s final months.
As we bid farewell to Cleo Ann O’Connor, let us remember her legacy of love, kindness, and unwavering faith that touched the lives of all who knew her. May her memory continue to inspire us to embrace the simple joys in life and cherish our loved ones with the same warmth and generosity that she exemplified.
