Caroline A. O’Brien, age 90, of Dubuque, passed away at 12:06 a.m., on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at Hawkeye Care Center.  To honor Caroline’s life, family and friends may visit from 9:30 a.m. until 10:45 a.m., on Friday, June 21, 2024, at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street.  Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Friday at the funeral home, with Deacon David Roth officiating.

Caroline was born on April 21, 1934, in Balltown, Iowa, the daughter of Leon and Claretta (Brimeyer) Breitbach.  

Caroline attended school in Balltown and graduated from Dubuque Senior High School.  After school, she married John O’Brien on February 13, 1954, in Dubuque.  Sadly, he preceded Caroline in death on December 31, 1987.  Caroline was a devoted full time wife, mom and homemaker for several years.  Once the children were older she went to work at The Dodge House Motel, The Julien Hotel and lastly with Holy Family Hall until her well earned retirement 2006.  She was a devout Catholic and long time member of Holy Ghost Church.  In her free time Caroline enjoyed walking, shopping, going out to eat and trying her luck at the casino.  She liked to do word search puzzles, sip a nice hot cup of coffee, watch game and talk shows and listen to country music.  Her family was extremely important to Caroline and she loved spending time with everyone.  She was a wonderful woman and will be greatly missed.

Those left to cherish Caroline’s memory include: her children, Peggy Maroney, Dubuque, IA, Debbie (Howard) Sincox, Apple River, IL and Michael (fiancé Karen) O’Brien, Monticello, IL; 5 grandchildren, Ashley (Tim) Gellings, Ankeny, IA,

Samuel Sincox, Indianapolis, IN, Daly O’Brien, Chicago, IL, Grace O’Brien, Monticello, IL, and Garett O’Brien, Monticello, IL; a great-grandchild, Cameron Gellings, Ankeny, IA; 3 sisters and 3 brothers.

Caroline was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John O’Brien; a son-in-law, Michael J. Maroney; and 5 sisters and 3 brothers.

Caroline’s family would like to thank the nurses and staff of Hawkeye Care Center and Hospice of Dubuque for the wonderful care they provided for Caroline these past few weeks.

Greeting cards and memorials in Caroline’s memory may be mailed to Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001, Attn. Caroline O’Brien Family.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.behrfuneralhome.come past few weeks.