Barbara L. O’Connell dies at 54

Barbara L. O’Connell, 54, of Frederika, died unexpectedly on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, at Community Memorial Hospital in Sumner. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg with Rev. Ronnie Koch officiating. Interment will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Fredericksburg. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, October 7, 2016 at Rettig Funeral Home in Tripoli and for one hour preceding services at the church on Saturday.Online condolences may be left at www.beckermilnesrettig.com. Barbara Lynn, daughter of Elmer and Karen (Kelleher) O’Connell, Jr. was born Nov. 23, 1961 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in New Hampton. She was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Hampton. Barb graduated from Fredericksburg High School in 1980 and went on to receive her degree in Culinary Arts from Kirkwood College in Cedar Rapids. Throughout her working career, she worked for Sara Lee in New Hampton, waitressing at local restaurants in Chickasaw County, and worked in the bakery at Hy-Vee in Charles City. It was within the last few years that Barb was able to mix her passion with her working career, as she has been self-employed with her craft business.  She was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg. Barb was very artistic, enjoyed painting, sculpting, but most especially enjoyed time with her nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. Barb is survived by her mother, Karen O’Connell of Fredericksburg; four sisters, Pam (Ron) Schutte of Fredericksburg, Chris (Steve) Crowe of Georgetown, Texas, Carol Pett of Waverly, and Elaine (Dan) Milewsky of Watertown, Wisconsin; nine nieces and nephews; and four great-nieces and nephews; and special friend, Bill O’Connell of Frederika. She was preceded in death by her father, Elmer O’Connell, Jr. and her grandparents.