Louise O’Brian of Joplin passed away June 2 at the Communities of Wildwood. Mrs. O’Brian was born May 12, 1925 in Mildred, Kansas, the daughter of John E. Ketchum and Frieda Mohrhoff. Her family moved to Chanute, Kansas, where she was a proud graduate of Chanute High School. She was an avid dancer and during high school was in several dance troupes entertaining military personnel stationed or training in southeast Kansas, southwest Missouri and northeast Oklahoma.
On graduating from high school, she attended Gulf Park College in Gulf Port, MS. After graduation, she became the bookkeeper at the family’s implement dealership in Chanute.
In June, 1949, she married her high school beau, Brian “Bob” O’Brian, of Fredonia, KS. Their wedding reception was the first private party onboard the newly launched Cherokee Queen, a Grand Lake cruise boat built and owned by her father.
Bob’s career in the farm equipment business took the family from southeast Kansas to Kansas City, northeast Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Georgia and eventually back to Kansas City where he retired. Wherever they were, Louise was very active in civic organizations, school and church. For several years, Louise and Bob lived at Ketchum on Grand Lake, moving to Webb City in 1997, then to Joplin in 2005. Bob passed away in late 2005.
For the past seven months, Louise has been a resident at Communities of Wildwood. The family expresses their sincere thanks to Communities for the excellent care she received. The family also is grateful to Integrity Home Care and particularly Beverly, Valiena, Johnnie and so many others who helped Louise live in her home for many years and continued to be care givers until her last day.
Louise is survived by her son, Rob, and his wife Marge of Joplin and her daughter Becky (O’Brian) Brinson and her husband Tony of Duquesne. She is also survived by granddaughter Toni O’Brian and her partner April and their son Andrew of Overland Park, KS.
Cremation is through Parker Mortuary. The family will have visitation on Sunday, June 7, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the home of Rob and Marge O’Brian, 1250 Crest Drive, Joplin. Louise will have a private burial on Monday at Ketchum Cemetery.
Louise believed in strongly higher education. Her family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations in her name be made to: The Regional Medical School Alliance, 320 E. 4th Street, Joplin, MO 64801 or on-line at: www.medschoolnow.com. Donations may also be made for scholarships to the Missouri Southern State University, Foundation, 3950 E. Newman Road, Joplin, MO 64801 or on-line at: www.mssu.edu/advancement/giving.
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