Cheri O'Brien

Cheri O'Brien, 70, of Casa Grande, Arizona, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 17, 2026. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 15, 2026 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Mason City, Iowa, with Pastor Dan Gerrietts officiating. Visitation will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the church, and inurnment will follow the service at Elmwood St. Joseph Cemetery.

Cheri Ann (Eggman) O'Brien was born on June 27, 1955 in Keokuk, Iowa to Kenneth Eggman and Betty Hauersperger, one of six children. After graduating high school, she attended Hamilton Business College in Mason City, Iowa. It was here that her path crossed with George O'Brien. The pair began to date, and Cheri would ride with George in the cab of his truck as they travelled coast-to-coast, exploring together while George worked. It was clear from the beginning that the two of them were inseparable, and in 1977 Cheri and George were united in marriage—a bond that would only strengthen over the next 48 years.

George and Cheri were blessed with two sons, and settled in Minnesota to raise them. Cheri chose to be a stay-at-home mom for the boys, a role she filled with heart and vigor. She was a supportive mother, always confident of her boys' ability to excel and pushing them to do their very best, academically or otherwise. When she returned to employment outside the house, she worked in medical records for many more years before her retirement.

In their spare time, George and Cheri were enthusiastic members of classic car clubs in Minnesota for many years. Cheri would contribute her skills in restoring automotive upholstery for many projects. An early interest in art blossomed later in life, as she would eventually lead the "Art Barn" at her retirement village, as well as work to create her own paintings, sketches, and other arts & crafts projects. In the last few years she would spend most of her time directing plays at the Sundance Village. All summer she would sit and think about how the play in the coming fall would be done. She loved doing these plays and would brag about how funny and exciting they were to watch. She was a positive force to all around her, always willing to lend a helping hand or a kind word. All who knew her are blessed to carry her memory with them forever.

Cheri is survived by her husband of 48 years, George O'Brien; her sons, Jon (Justene) O'Brien and Paul (Tami) O'Brien; grandchildren, Wyatt and Mackenzie O'Brien, Rori and Zain O'Brien, and Evelyn, Landon, and Isabella Small; three sisters, and one brother.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth Eggman and Betty Hauersperger, and one brother.