Memorial

Willa Rae O’Connor, 87 of Hiawatha, Iowa passed away on Wednesday, March 31, 2021 at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House in Hiawatha surrounded by her loving family.  A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, April 9th at St. Pius X Catholic Church.  Private family inurnment will follow at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.

“Following the continued guidance from health officials, physical distancing must be practiced. The use of facemasks or shields is required.”

Willa Rae O’Connor was born on September 20, 1933 in Chariton, Iowa to Linus and Bertha (Hoffman) Hoch.  She was united in marriage to Jerry O’Connor on June 8, 1957 in Chariton, Iowa.  They were blessed with five wonderful children.  She enjoyed volunteering at the church, school, and care centers, traveling with her husband, vacations, and holidays (especially the 4th of July) with family. 

She is survived by her loving husband Jerry; her children, Ron (Nancy) O’Connor, Kathy (Tim) Collins, Curt (Alicia) O’Connor, Debra (Todd) Rettig, and Dan (Stacey) O’Connor; grandchildren, Krystle (Jared) Walton, Kristin (Nathan) Jensen, Jason (Cassie) Petrilla, Matthew (Brittany), Christopher (Katie), Andrew, Jackson, and Nicholas Collins, Hayden and Aaron O’Connor, Jason (Jamie), Kayla and Nicole Rettig, Jacob O’Connor; great-grandchildren Tanner, Grant, Addison, Reid, and Sloane; brother Randall (Dee) Hoch, and many nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by four sisters, three brothers, and grandson Ethan Gerald.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House in Hiawatha, Iowa.