Posted on: PaloAlto County Obituaries Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Ia/PaloAltoObits/551 Surname: O'Brien, McCoy, Berger, Higgins, McDonal, Steil ------------------------- Emmetsburg Democrat, Thurs., Jan. 6, 1938 Mrs. Pete O'Brien Died Suddenly At Her Home in Emmetsburg Last Night, Funeral to Be Held Saturday. Emmetsburg friends were shocked early this morning to learn that Mrs. Peter O'Brien, 73, a resident of Emmetsburg for nealy half a century, died suddenly at her home in this city at 12 o'clock Wednesday night. Mrs. O'Brien had been ill for ony a few days and it was not thought that her condition was so serious. However, Tuesday and Wednesday she took a turn for the worse. Shortly before her death she inquired the time of day. Immediately after her condition became alarming and the hand of death soon touched her. As the Democrat goes to press definate funeral arrangements have not been announced, but it is likely that the funeral will be held Saturday morning from the Assumption church, with its new pastor, Very Rev. W. F. Mason, officiating. The pall bearers have not been chosen. Mary McCoy, daughter of the late John and Anna McCoy, was born at Long Island, N. Y., on May 27, 1864. Hence she was nearing her 74th birthday anniversary. When she was young the family moved to Palo Alto county. Miss McCoy was united in marriage to Peter O'Brien on November 18, 1891. The ceremony was performed in the Assumption church in Emmetsburg, Father McCauley officiating. Mr. and Mrs. O'Brien made their home in this city where Mr. O'Brien was for many years engaged in the grocery business. The business is still operated by Jos. O'Brien and continues under the name of O'Brien Brothers Grocery. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. O'Brien. A daughter Gertrude died at the age of seven years. A daughter, Josephine, passed away on June 23, 1932, and a son, Eugene O'Brien, died on June 9, 1933. Besides Mr. O'Brien, one son and two daughters survive. The son is Joseph O'Brien of this city and the daughters are Mrs. Carl Berger, Emmetsburg,and Mrs. Bert Higgins, Spencer. Two brothers and four sisters also survive. The brothers are James and Charles McCoy of Emmetsburg. The sisters are Mrs. John McDonald, Mrs. John Steil and Miss Anna McCoy, Emmetsburg, and Miss Kate McCoy of Oakdale. Mrs. O'Brien was one of the finest of Emmetsburg women. She was throughout her entire lifetime one of the most active, self-sacrificing mothers, yet she found time to assist generously in church and social affairs. Her spirit of unselfishness and intense devotion to those nearest to her was perhaps an outstanding feature of her model Christian life. Mrs O'Brien was held in the highest estimation by all who knew her for the many sterling qualities she possessed. Her sudden death is a sad blow to her fond husband and worthy son and daughters and other relatives. The Democrat extends sincere sympathy to them in their bereavement.