Raemary "Rae" O'Brien

RaeMary "Rae" O'Brien, 92, of Hastings left her earthly home and went to Heaven peacefully on May 6, 2022, surrounded by her family. She was born October 27, 1929, to Ray and Meta (Jankowsky) Dolan in Hastings, Minnesota. Rae attended school and graduated from Hastings High School with the class of 1948. In her senior yearbook, her classmates described her as a “diminutive live wire who gaily extracted every gram of pleasure out of life” which accurately described her throughout her entire life. After high school, she wed John “Hub” O’Brien and their marriage was blessed with 8 children. Hub and Rae celebrated 65 years of marriage in 2014 just a few months before Hub was called to his Heavenly home. Rae was an active member of the Hastings community and worked at several local businesses before she found her joy and success in real estate. She was a passionate Realtor and became a top agent in the area for many years. She enjoyed golfing, bowling, and going on drives. Music also played a large role in Rae’s life and she enjoyed singing as well as playing the piano. Her family was very important to her and the traditions around the holidays and family gatherings were always special. Grandma Rae loved attending her grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s activities and was always in the audience at concerts and cheering from the sidelines. Her sharp wit, spunky personality, and love for her family will be greatly missed. She is survived by her children, Deb (Jack) Eckmann, John (Joan) O'Brien, Patty Roehl, Kathy (Daryl) Tukua, David (Cheryl) O'Brien, James (Jody Bouchard) O'Brien, Laurie (Jeff) Swiggum, and Julie (Tom) Hanson; grandchildren, Jeff (Elaine) Eckmann, Joy (Stephen) Bozzo, Jenny (Paul) Hiller, Mike (Danielle) O'Brien, Dane (Amanda) Tukua, Shelina Tukua, Josh (Clare) O'Brien, Rob O'Brien, Holly O'Brien, Anna O'Brien, Tonia Swiggum, Eric Swiggum, Lauren (Casey) Swanson, and Rylee (Andrew) Lynch; great-grandchildren, Amberlina, Ryan, Abra, Micah, Stephen, Kate, Brooke, Owen, Easton, Beckett, Adlee, Kylie, Gabe, Alex, Bennett, Peyton and Taylor; and other dear friends and relatives. RaeMary was preceded in death by her parents; husband, John and siblings, Ray, Earl, Ralph and infant sister, Patricia; son-in-law, Cary Roehl. A Celebration of Life will be 11:00 am Thursday, May 19 with visitation from 9:00 - 11:00 am at the Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel in Hastings. Livestreaming of the service will be on the funeral home website. Interment will be in the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Cemetery. Arrangements are with the Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel.