Beatrice Elaine O'Brien

BEATRICE ELAINE (MAASS) O’BRIEN, age 81, of Waseca passed away peacefully on January 23, 2025 after a 3 year battle with stage 4 breast cancer. Up until the end Bea maintained her love for everyday life. Despite frequent trips to the doctor, she continued to stay active visiting and talking with her siblings, attending to her family, following grandkids and great grandkids, and working full time.

Bea’s life can broadly be defined by her two loves: Family and “work”. Work is in quotes as she always answered inquiries about her longevity at work with “I don’t think of it as work, I love to do it.” During her life she had a major impact on all those she encountered doing what she loved.

Bea was born on April 10, 1943, on the farm in Waldorf, MN to parents Elmer and Ruth (Allen) Maass. She spent her early years there, graduating from Waldorf High School in 1960. The oldest of 5 children, she was fiercely proud of her Maass heritage, her parents, her siblings, and their families. She spent major holidays with them for most of her life, only stopping when COVID interrupted the traditions. Bea communicated with her siblings and extended “Maass” family frequently and valued the proximity in which they all lived. Until recently she continued to meet for birthday lunches with siblings and cousins. Bea met Mike O’Brien in 1966 and they were married at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on June 10, 1967. She spent the next 58 years as a faithful member of the church. Together they had 9 children, and Bea’s 15 minutes of local fame came with the birth of her first girl after 7 boys in a row. She would add another girl two years later to complete the family. You could always find her at mass early on Sunday morning with all 9 kids in tow. Her and Mike raised their family with faith as their guide. Bea was always willing to give her time, be it as a Eucharistic Minister, counting offertory or volunteering for the Fall Festival. She was also active in Catholic Daughters, worked at the Food Shelf and would lend a hand to anyone in need, grateful that she had time to do it. Her family sparked a journey that would take her and Mike to gyms, ball fields and other activities across southern Minnesota and surrounding states. Bea was always front and center cheering and clapping but was back to just “Mom” by the time she arrived home. Preferring to just watch, she never lost sight of the true value of it all which was growth through the losses and the victories. Once her kids were done, she continued with the same spirit chasing her grandkids and checking in on her great grandkids. Her grandkids adored her as she made them all feel special, always acknowledging birthdays and messaging them all during life’s special events. Bea and Mike would have celebrated 58 years of marriage on June 10, 2025. Her identity tied together by the thing she held most dear, her extensive family.

After graduating from Waldorf High School Bea landed a job as a legal secretary with Iversen Law Firm at the age of 18. Bea occupied a seat on main street Waseca for 64 years. She truly loved her job and received great joy helping people navigate the legal obstacle course they faced. Known for her strong memory, efficiency, and quick appointments, clients came from near and far to see her. As her career developed, she was a trusted advisor to many, and her presence was a great marketing tool for the 3 lawyers that hired her. In several instances, she assisted grandparents, parents, kids, and grandkids of the same family. She found energy and strength in her many friends and loved to connect the dots of who is related to whom that left all of us with a smile. Her joy of friendships and relationships was always present, her identity tied together by the many people she helped during happy and difficult life events.

Bea is survived by her husband, Mike; children, John (Jane), Jason (Chelsea), Tony (Tami), Andy (Courtney), Joel (Jen), Matt, Ben (Ria), Katie, and Kari (Greg) Huber; grandchildren, Kelvin (Melissa), Ashley, Jack, Meg, Mallory, Henry, Sally (JP) Eykyn, Sydney (Al) Solheid, Sarah, Sam, Alix, Joe, Lauren, Lily, Gavin, Oliver, Evelyn, Archer(O’Brien), Lucy and Macy Huber; great-grandchildren, Owen O’Brien and Grace Solheid; siblings, Carol McCoy, Marvin (Bev), Merlin (Kathy); many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Dewey; and nephew, Shaun.

Of course, none of this happens without our dad- Her one true love through it all. Mom was a giver, in life and in death, she led by example. Recently reassuring us all that she was good and that we’d be fine. “Life will change a bit”, she said “but it will go on.” Giving once again, giving us permission to move forward, permission to let her go as that huge heart and unbelievable motor went quiet. We love you mom. 

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the O’Brien Family charity, 712 Giving. 

Visitation will be from 3 – 7 PM on Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waseca. A rosary for Bea will be at 2:30 PM prior to the visitation at the church. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 12:00 PM on Wednesday, January 29, 2025 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. A private family burial will follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.