Eileen M. O'Connell, 71, of Cascade, Iowa passed away, Sunday, January 22, 2017 at 3:30 a.m. at Manor Care in Dubuque, Iowa.

Friends and relatives of Eileen may call from 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at the Reiff Funeral Home in Cascade, Iowa, where a wake service will be held at 2:30 p.m and CDA Rosary will be held at 4:30 p.m. Friends also may call after 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home.

Services for Eileen will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at St. Martin's Catholic Church in Cascade, Iowa, with Rev. Douglas Loecke officiating. Burial will be held in Calvary Cemetery in Cascade, Iowa.

Eileen was born on December 30, 1945 in Cascade, Iowa, Daughter of Harold N. and Luella (Koob) Manternach. She received her education from former Aquin High School in Cascade. Eileen was employed in the food service industry for many years. On September 25, 1971, she was united in marriage to Bernard J. O'Connell at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Cascade, Iowa.

Having no children of their own, Eileen and Bernie participated in the Foster Care Program. Eileen loved to make quilts, making over 30 quilts for family and friends. She also loved camping, scrapbooking and researching family history. She enjoyed writing poetry and had some poems published, Eileen was instrumental in starting a winter weekend tradition with family and friends that has grown for 38 years and continues yet today.

She was a member of St. Matthias Parish in Cascade, Iowa. She was also a member of the Catholic Daughters of Americas Our Blessed Mother Court #1926 and was chair person for the parish prayer line.

She is survived by a foster daughter, Debi (Dan) Farrey of Benton, WI; four siblings, Mary Karolyn Kramer of Freeport, IL, Donna (Charles) Casey, Paul (Kathy) Manternach and Herb (Jacquie) Manternach all of Cascade, IA; one brother-in-law, Bob (Diane) O'Connell of Scottsdale, AZ; two sisters-in-law, Pat (James) Rearden of Dubuque, IA, and Grace (Marvin) Kurt of Cascade, IA; and several nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bernard J. O'Connell on September 7, 1997,a sister, Delores Manternach on October 15, 1951; a brother, Carl J. "King" Manternach on January 9, 2017, one brother-in-law, Ron Kramer; three nephews, Andy and Toby Casey and Tony O'Connell.

In lieu of flowers Eileen specifically requested that memorials be given to Right to Life organizations.

The family would like to thank Manor Care and Hospice of Dubuque for all their care and support that they gave to Eileen.