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John O’Brien, age 88, of Valley City, ND died Monday, October 20, 2014 at Essentia Hospital, Fargo, ND.  A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 AM Friday, October 24th at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Valley City.  Visitation will be from 5PM until 7 PM Thursday at St. Catherine’s Church with a Prayer Service beginning at 7 PM.  Interment will be in St. Catherine’s Cemetery.

Joseph was born born October 25, 1925 at Valley City, ND the son of Joseph and Augusta (Mortenson) O’Brien.  He was raised on the family farms at Eckelson, ND and Valley City, ND.  Joseph was baptized, confirmed and a lifelong member of St. Catherine’s Catholic Church.  He joined the US ARMY in May 1945 and was discharged in October 1946, having served overseas in Europe.  He was employed by NW Bell from March 1948 until his retirement in January 1986. He also farmed in the Valley City/Eckelson area.  He married Betty Sessions February 3, 1951 at Leeds, ND.  Betty passed away Aug. 7, 1989.  He married Margaret Newton Aug. 18, 1994.  Margaret passed away on Sept. 14, 2003.

Joe was a member of the: VFW, DAV, AmVets, American Legion, Eagles, and the Knights of Columbus.

Surviving are his loving children: (Daughter-in-law) Candy O’Brien, Valley City, ND, Richard (Brenda) O’Brien, Valley City, ND, Marie Meidinger (Kim Turner), Commerce City, CO, Kathy (Rick) Triebold, Valley City, ND, Ellen (Brent) Westby, Fargo, ND, James (Joan) O’Brien, Lakeville, MN, William (Kathy) O’Brien, Fargo, ND, 19 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great grandchildren, and a special friend, Ramona Muehler.  Joe also leaves 5 brothers; Louis (Marie), Devils Lake, ND, James, Valley City, ND, Dale (Carolyn), Gilbert, AZ, Dennis (Janet), Marion, IA, and Lloyd, Westchester, IL; 2 sisters, Lillian (Edward) Moug, Omaha, AR and Mary Emke, Marshalltown, IA; and a sister-in-law Lillie Mae O’Brien, Spokane, WA.  Joe was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Betty, his wife Margaret, a son John, grandsons David and Christopher, brothers Francis, Earl, Charles and Maurice, sisters Alice and Lucy, brothers-in-law Alvin Widmer, Ben Lockwood, and Dennis Emke, sister-in-law Betty (James) O’Brien, and an infant twin brother, Lawrence.

An online guest register is available at lerudschuldt.com.  Lerud-Schuldt Funeral Home, Valley City, ND is assisting with funeral arrangements.