Barbara R. O'Brien

Barbara O’Brien, formerly of Reedsburg and Wisconsin Rapids, passed away at her current home in Sauk City on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. Barb was born in Appleton on February 1, 1951, daughter of the late Roger and Celestine “Sally” (Scherer) Gregorius. Barb was a graduate of Xavier High School and was registered as a LPN, but always wanted to earn the position of Registered Nurse. She returned to school and received her BSN from Viterbo College in LaCrosse.

This degree would serve her well as she worked at various jobs over the years, with the most recent being a Public Health Nurse in Sauk County. She married Tom O’Brien in 1995 while working in Wisconsin Rapids. The couple moved to Reedsburg after Barb took a job in Sauk County. During her time living in Reedsburg, she loved her work as well as her volunteer activities. She volunteered at the Reedsburg Area Senior Life Center, Helping Hands, the local library, Mirror Lake State Park, and played clarinet in the City Band. Barb exuded kindness, compassion and generosity, drawing people of all walks of life to her and developing lifelong friendships wherever she went.

Barb his survived by her husband, Tom O’Brien; three children: Anne Werth-Rueckl, Tara (Nick) Schlueter, and Dan (Emily) Kettenhofen; Tom’s children: Michael (Dong Mei) O’Brien, Jennifer (Venkat) Venkat, and Amy (Jake) Dutton; her grandchildren: Ella, Carter, Henry, Josephine, Courbin, and Tyler; and Tom’s grandchildren: Kara, James, Aidan, Tabitha, and Esther; two sisters: Mary (Lloyd) Brooks and Karen (Bob) Fischer; and a brother: Jim (Joanne) Gregorius. Barb was preceded in death by her parents and her dear and lifelong friend Patricia Pfeifer.

The family will celebrate Barb’s life with a sharing of memories at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at the Wichmann Funeral Home, located at 547 N. Superior Street in Appleton. Visiting and fellowship will take place at the funeral home on Tuesday from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM. Barb will then be placed at rest at St. Joseph Cemetery in Appleton.