Jane O'Hara

Norma Jane O’Hara, age 79, passed away peacefully on May 9, 2009 in Topeka, Kansas, surrounded by her family. She was born August 11, 1929, in Seneca, Kansas, to Urban and Georgina Koelzer. She grew up in Seneca and graduated as valedictorian of her high school class. She received a full scholarship to Mount Saint Scholastica Academy and later attended the University of Kansas, from which she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education in 1951. She obtained her Master’s degree in Education from Washburn University in 1974. She married William Joseph O’Hara on July 25, 1953 in Seneca, Kansas. The couple moved to Topeka in 1965 with their four children, and Jane taught elementary school at Sheldon and McClure for USD 501 until her retirement in 1993. She was an active member of Christ the King Catholic Church, where she was a lector, Eucharistic Minister, Sacristan, and active in the Adoration of the Eucharist. She volunteered as a liturgical coordinator at Hayden High School and at Let’s Help. She was an avid indoor and outdoor gardener, a KU sports enthusiast, and she loved animals, especially dogs and her miniature schnauzer, Hogan. She was preceded in death by her brother, Tom Koelzer, and her son, Timothy O’Hara. She is survived by her husband, Joe, her daughters, Brigid “Deni” O’Hara (Mike Leahy) of Wichita and Patrice O’Hara of Topeka, and her son, Sean O’Hara of Topeka; granddaughters Collette (Mike) Baadte of Shawnee, Caitlin Pomeroy (fiancé Jeremy Howey) of Carbondale, and Moira and Sinead Leahy of Wichita. Her sisters, Jerrie Smith of Denver, Colorado, Sister Janice Koelzer of Concordia, and Jo Richards of Tipton, also survive her. Visitation for Jane will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13th at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW. Urish Rd., Topeka, KS 66614 with a parish rosary beginning at 8 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 14th at Christ the King Catholic Church with interment at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Helping Hands Humane Society and Christ the King Catholic Church and sent in care of the funeral home.

Jane O'Hara

August 11, 1929 - May 11, 2009