Angela O'Brien

Angela (Nellie) O'Brien, 97, passed away December 29, 2016 in Broken Bow. She was born August 22, 1919 at Farwell, NE to Walter and Sally Graczyk and was named Aniela (Angela in Polish) and was known as Nellie or Nell growing up. The family moved to Oconto and later Callaway and Angela graduated from Callaway High School in 1938. She attended Kearney State College for one year. That experience impressed upon her the importance of education, which she passed to her children. Angela went to Washington, D.C. in 1941 to work as a civilian employee for the U.S. Department of the Navy. She enjoyed her years in Washington, D.C. where she met fellow Nebraskan Ivan Swanson, whom she married December 26, 1942. She and Ivan had one son, Ivan Jr. After being widowed in 1948, Angela moved with her three-year old son to Custer County. She worked at the Oconto State Bank before moving to Broken Bow to work at the Federal Land Bank. In need of a coffee pot, Angela went into the Coast-to-Coast Hardware store where she met Gene O'Brien. They wed September 4, 1950. Ivan Jr. was joined by Susan, David, Tim, and Tama. Angela was a passionate advocate for individuals with special needs and was a co-founder of the Custer County Association of Retarded Citizens. In the late 1950s Angela and other parents of special needs children built and ran a school for their children and others with disabilities, as special education was not provided in the public school system until the 1970s. Angela exemplified the importance of speaking for those who could not speak for themselves. Because of her tireless work and dedication to the Custer ARC, it was renamed the Angela Foundation in her honor. She was a caring mother and grandmother. She especially enjoyed spending time with with her grandchildren, playing Skip-bo and baking cookies. She loved family gatherings, especially at Christmas and other holidays. Angela also enjoyed gardening, quilting, making afghans, sewing, cooking, baking, scrapbooking, and researching family history. In addition to the Angela Foundation, she was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church and Altar Society. Angela and Gene were married 55 years until his death in 2005. Angela assisted her husband and son Tim in running the Coast-to-Coast Hardware store. Angela is survived by her children; Ivan (Linda) O'Brien of Florence, AZ; Susan (Gary) Henrie of Hastings, NE; Tim (Sherri) O'Brien of Broken Bow; and Tama O'Brien of Douglaston, NY. Her grandchildren Janese, Rebecca, Amy, Rachel, Devin, Taylor, Maggie, and Katie; and great grandchildren Thomas, Justin, Evelyn, Silas, Shepherd, and Willow. She is survived by her brother Edmund (Ann) Graczyk of Sumner, NE and numerous nieces and nephews. She is also survived by special family friend Carol Jones. Angela was preceded in death by her husband Gene, son David, and sister Victoria Farritor. The family appreciates the care Angela received from the employees of Custer Care.   Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday January 4, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at Saint Josephs Catholic Church in Broken Bow, Ne with Father Jim Hunt officiating.  Visitation will be Tuesday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Govier Brothers Mortuary with Rosary Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church.  Burial will be the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.     Memorials may be made to the Angela Foundation, PO Box 34, Broken Bow, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, or Custer County Foundation for the Gene O’Brien Scholarship Fund.