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In Memory

Catherine Boehm (O'Neil) - Class Of 1946

Catherine “Katie” Mae O’Neil of McCook passed away January 8th, 2021 at Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte. She was 92. Katie’s journey began on May 9th, 1928 in McCook as Catherine Boehm. She attended St. Patrick’s Parochial School and graduated from McCook High School in 1946. Katie married her brother Fredie’s best friend, Bill O’Neil, in 1947 and proceeded to have ten children. Holidays and celebrations were full of commotion. A slew of family, friends, love and of course, good food. From picnics, camping and boating, to ice skating and sledding were among the many fond memories she was able to create for her kids. She enjoyed late-night cribbage games with Bill, crocheting rag-rugs & afghans, as well as quilting and sewing. You’d also find Katie tending to her flower beds. Katie and Bill would travel the countryside to auctions, as she became very passionate toward antiques. The couple could take an old pile of wood and rebuild the piece to its’ former glory. She even became savvy enough to sell antiques on E-bay! She was no stranger to NFL and College Football. Tom Brady and the Patriots had stolen her heart. You could regularly find her betting on games during the season with her bookie until she was 88 years old. Additionally, Katie could be found at Fonner Park, playing keno and betting on horse races while relaxing with an ice-cold beer. She had the travel bug! Family vacations included trips to Corpus Christie, Canada, Manitou Springs and the base of Pikes Peak. Only the base… she was afraid of heights! Destinations with Bill included Las Vegas, Seattle, Branson, Missouri, the Ozarks, Phoenix, and was a regular to Montana. After Bill’s passing, her daughters would take her on road trips. As many of her grandchildren may remember, Jimmy Buffet and Frank Sinatra were played at least once during the ride. The girls traveled to the Outer Banks via Ashville, Memphis, the West Coast of Astoria, New Port, Oregon, San Francisco, San Jose, Lake Tahoe and even went on an Alaskan Cruise. She visited Churchill Downs to, as always, try her luck on the horses. Chicago’s gangster scene intrigued Katie, including the Navy Pier and the pirate ship. Catherine Mae O’Neil is survived by her children: Peggy (Dick) Rogers, Patty O’Neil, Rosemary (George) Dack, Timmy O’Neil, Annie (Alan) Carlson, and Dennis O’Neil. Fourteen grandchildren: Bridget, Joshua, Shostal, Nick, Maggie, Kyle, Emily, Clint, Dylan, Luke, Matt, Sam, Katie and Kobi. Great-grandchildren include: Alissa, Bailey, Wyatt, Mckennly, Levi, Lucius, Thomas, Aviana, Osias and Bronson. Preceding her in death were her husband, Bill, and her children, Joseph, Danny, Tommy and Maureen. To celebrate her life wherever you are, have a toast in her honor. It’s never easy to say “goodbye,” so as Lucius would say, “I’ll see you on the flipside!” Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:30 p.m. (CT), Thursday, January 14th, 2021 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in McCook, NE with Father Gary Brethour celebrating. Inurnment will follow services in St. Patrick Calvary Cemetery in McCook. No viewing or visitation is available as Katie chose cremation. Because Katie loved her cats and dogs, a donation in her memory to McCook Humane Society is suggested in lieu of flowers. Online condolences may be left at herrmannfh.com. Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel is entrusted with arrangements.

 

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https://www.herrmannfh.com/obituary/catherine-oneil