Cleo Ann O’Connor

Cleo Ann O’Connor, 90, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on Monday Dec. 30, 2024 at the Rockwell Community Nursing Home.

Celebration of Life Service will be held 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 3, 2025 at the Rudd United Methodist Church, 611 – 6th Street, Rudd, IA. She will be laid to rest at the Evergreen Cemetery in Rudd, Iowa.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services at the church.

Cleo was born June 25, 1934, in Shell Rock, Iowa to Lloyd and Minnie (Vestal) Grap. She graduated from Charles City High School and went to work for DeKalb Seed Corn. In 1958, she married Merrill B Bartz and they were blessed with two children, Dean and Diane. He passed away in 1971. She later married John (Jack) O’Connor on Oct. 22, 1979. They made their home in Rudd. She worked for a short time at Hoover’s Hatchery and was the financial secretary of the Rudd United Methodist Church for many years. Her greatest work and joy, however, was in being a wife and mom to her kids.

Cleo was a quiet woman of strong faith and determination. She rarely ever complained despite her pain. She was always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need and was a cornerstone to her family. Her steadfast love for others was evident in all she did. Cleo enjoyed the simple things in life from walking around town and the Rudd Lake (into her 80s), playing cards (especially 500), knitting mittens and blankets, growing her Philodendron plants, reading devotional magazines and novels; afternoon coffee/dessert with her neighbor and friends but most of all, cooking and baking for her family and friends. Dessert was a staple at every meal and she was best known for her delicious pies, cookies, homemade bread and rolls, and caramel corn.

Cleo is survived by John (Jack), her husband of 45 years; son Dean Bartz (Doreen Dralle) of Kesley, daughter Diane Zabel (Ted) of Bettendorf; step-children Brenda Jorgenson, Tim (Susan) O’Connor, and Steve O’Connor; grandchildren Dustin Bartz, Nathan Zabel, Eric Zabel, Sydney Zabel and step-grandchild Katie (Tim) Anderson; seven great-grandchildren, many 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.

Cleo’s family sends a heartfelt thank you to the staff of the Rockwell Community Nursing Home for their kindness and care provided to Cleo over the past nine months.

Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel 126 3rd St. NE, Mason City, 641-423-2372, ColonialChapels.com.