Mary Jane O’Brien, age 83, died on December 3, 2022, at Hospice House in Hutchinson, Kansas. She was born on September 30, 1939, in Garden City, Kansas the daughter of Raymond and Stella (Crofton) Ellis.
Jane graduated from Garden City High School and then went on the attend beauty school. On October 19, 2959, she married Gary O’Brien in Ness City, Kansas. He preceded her in death on February 25, 2005.
She was a hair stylist in Ransom for several years before starting a family. Between raising a family, supporting her children in riding horses and sports, she worked as a waitress and at Rexall drug prior going to work at the Ness County Sheriff's Office where she was the Records clerk, and head dispatcher for 39 yrs. She retired in 2008. Jane was a member of the Sacred Heart Church and Altar Society, the Indian Hills Saddle Club, Kansas western horseman’s association where she was a board member for many years. Between the children’s activities, helping Gary, and work, Jane loved to show horses, embroidery, grow flowers, and watch KU Basketball.
Jane is survived by her three daughters, Jonetta and Jackie O’Brien of Ness City and Justina O’Brien of Hutchinson; two sisters, Maybelle Bowen of Garden City and Rosie Palkowitsh and her husband, Raymond, of Burlington, CO; and three sisters in law, Joyce Ellis of Dighton, Louis Shauers and her husband, Charlie, of Ness City, and LaVone Hoss of Ness City. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; two sons, David and Jeffery O’Brien; three brothers, Raymond, Robert, and Ronald Ellis, and one sister, Josephine Coeber.
The Funeral Mass will be on Friday, December 9, 2022, 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, Ness City, followed by burial in the Sacred Heart Cemetery. A Rosary will be held on Thursday, December 9, 2022, 6:30 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home. Viewing will be at Fitzgerald Funeral Home on Thursday from 9:30 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be given to Reno County Home Health/Hospice, Hospice House, or Sacred Heart Cemetery Fund.