Timothy Francis O'Brien

Tim was born April 7, 1950 in Cresco, IA, the only son of Leon and Loretta O'Brien. In 1956, his family moved to Waterloo, IA where Tim attended O.L.V.A. grade school. He graduated from Columbus High School and attended the University of Northern Iowa. While in college, Tim was drafted into the army and he served as a medic. He went on to make New Orleans his home and to begin his career as a social worker. He later earned his MSW at Tulane University. Tim married Nolita Green Hancock and they had a son, Jason. He and Nolita divorced and Tim later married Karen Van Beyer. Karen passed away in May of 2024. Tim and Karen shared a love of bicycling and taking long walks. Tim was an avid reader and loved analytical discussions of one kind or another. Tim was a kind, intelligent man with a gentle soul and his family will greatly miss him.

Tim is survived by his son Jason; his step-sons Gavin Walker (Jeanne Claire) and Reece Walker; his mother Loretta; his sisters Mary Thomas, Kathleen Fettkether, Noreen Purcell, and Annette O'Brien (Michael Olejniczak); and his brother-in-law Steven Nagel. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews, and step-grandchildren. Tim is preceded in death by his wife Karen; his father Leon; his sister Monica; and his brothers-in-law Lowell Thomas, Frank Fettkether, and Cary Purcell.