Beverly "Bev" Ann O'Brien

Beverly Ann O’Brien passed away peacefully on May 5, 2023, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines Iowa.  She was born January 28, 1937, to Glenn and Kathleen (Kerr) Johnston.  Bev attended country schools in Van Buren County and Fairfield High School.  She married Ron O’Brien and they had three children, Rebecca, Deborah and David.  Together Ron and Bev travelled the country with their involvement in the Jaycees and Bev devoted time starting area chapters of the Jaycettes.  They later divorced.

Bev had a love for music.  She sang in the Fairfield United Methodist Church and performed on local radio stations singing as a young child.  She was a member of the Birmingham United Methodist Church where she was the Choir Director.  She was invited to sing at many churches in Jefferson and Van Buren counties where she performed at the Festival of Trees and participated in The Last Supper production regularly.  She was a member of the PEO, Fairfield Jaycettes, Fairfield Arts Association, and other organizations.  Bev, her son, David, and her mother Kathleen, always enjoyed gathering with family and friends singing and playing music together.

Bev is survived by daughter Rebecca Buch of Ankeny, son David (Vicki) O’Brien of Des Moines, four grandchildren, Melissa (Tim) Bell of Riverside, Kris (Stephenie) Kiger of Ankeny, Travis (Christy) O’Brien of Urbandale and Deborah (Billy) O’Brien of Des Moines, seven great grandchildren, Natalie, Hayden, Vivienne, Jocelyn, Evelyn, Jameson and Dominic, brother Danny (Gloria) Johnston of Nebraska, sister-in-law Loretta Johnston of Fairfield and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Gary Johnston, daughter and son-in- law Debbie and Randy Gustafson, great grandson Kristopher Kiger and great granddaughter Amaiya O’Brien.

A celebration of life will be held May 17, 2023, at 10:30am at the Birmingham United Methodist Church followed by a graveside service at Evergreen Cemetery in Fairfield.  Memorial contributions can be made to the Birmingham United Methodist Church and Fairfield Arts and Convention Center.