Cecilia O'Brien, 99, of Dell Rapids, passed away on Friday, February 12, 2016 at the Dells Nursing and Rehab Center. Her Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, February 19, 2016 in St. Mary Catholic Church. Interment will be in the St. Mary Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 18, 2016. The Catholic Daughters Rosary will be prayed at 3:00 p.m. The family will be present at 5:00 p.m. with the Wake Service at 6:00 p.m. at Kahler Funeral Home.

Cecilia E. Weinacht was born on May 31, 1916 at Sioux Falls, SD, the daughter of Peter and Katie (Schminnes) Weinacht. She grew up in Dell Rapids and attended St. Mary Academy graduating in 1934. She married Robert “Red” O’Brien on February 21, 1938 in Dell Rapids. They lived and farmed near Dell Rapids and then moved to a farm near Ellis in 1948. During that time she worked as a cook at O'Gorman Catholic School. In 1963 they returned to Cecilia’s home farm near Dell Rapids. Cecilia worked as a cook at St. Mary from 1965 until 1978. In 1979 they retired and moved into town. Mr. O’Brien died in 1996. Cecilia remained in her home until moving into Orchard Hills and then Dells Nursing and Rehab Center.

She was a member of St. Mary Church and Altar Society, Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Dell Rapids Hospital Auxiliary and played the organ at church and for many funerals.

She is preceded in death by her three brothers, four sisters, two infant daughters and a grandson, Jerry O’Brien.

She is survived by her sons, Robert “Bob” (Peggy) of Dell Rapids, Gerald of Harrisburg, Donald (Ann) of Warner Robins, GA; her daughters, Lois Zimmer of Sioux Falls and Vernie (Ronald) Feldhaus of Bloomington, MN; her 24 grandchildren, 71 great -grandchildren and 35 great great-grandchildren.

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