Barbara Lynn Brady

Barbara Lynn (Cronin) Brady passed away at her home on January 2, 2023, surrounded by the love of her family and the presence of the Holy Spirit. 

The daughter of Joseph and Marie (George) Cronin, Barb was born on January 25, 1963 in LeMars, Iowa. She grew up on the family farm south of Marcus. Barb was born the ninth child in a family of twelve. Barb attended school at Immaculate Conception Catholic School in Cherokee, later graduating from Meriden-Cleghorn High School in 1981, after being crowned the 1981 Cherokee County and NW Iowa District I Pork Queen.  Upon graduation, Barb continued her education at College of Saint Mary, graduating in 1983 with her associates degree in business, and later received her bachelor’s degree from Briar Cliff College in 1998. 

She met her future husband, Shawn Brady, while in the newborn nursery at Sacred Heart Hospital in LeMars, Iowa, reconnecting as high school sweethearts, and marrying at Maryhill Visitation Church on July 28, 1984. 

To this union, three children were born: Joseph (1987); Alissa (1989); and Mitchell (1994). Barb and Shawn raised their children on the Brady family farm north of Marcus, where Barb resided until her death. 

Barb was employed with Smith Insurance Services in Marcus, Iowa until her retirement in 2018.  Barb enjoyed quilting, becoming exceptionally skilled at creating tree skirts for her nephews and nieces. She loved Okoboji, spending time there as a child with her family and again with Shawn, their close friends, and family members. Barb lovingly looked forward to Friday evenings out with the gang, an opportunity to create close friendships and laugh and laugh and laugh. 

Barb was a caring sister, spending weekends with the sisters, shopping and traveling. Barb had a special laugh reserved only for her sisters, which made it easy to decipher who she was talking with on the phone.  

Barb was a member of Holy Name Catholic Church in Marcus. Her faith in God was inspiring to all who met her. She prayed feverently for all she knew and loved, putting others needs before her own in her conversations with God. Barb taught religious education for high school seniors for many years, focusing on teaching them practical ways to live out their faith. 

Most important to Barb was her role as wife, mother, and most recently, Grandma Barb. Grandma Barb fondly called for each of her grandsons as they walked through her front door— “is that my Beaux/Ike/Kade/Max?” Homemade chocolate chip cookies were always in the freezer, awaiting a visit from her boys. Her grandsons loved helping her pick up sticks outside and filling her living room with tractors, while she patiently hooked and re-hooked hundreds of implements on the back of toy tractors. 

Barb is survived by her husband of 38 years, Shawn; their children: Joe (Jackie) Brady, Marcus, IA, Alissa (Ryan) Paulsen, Paullina, IA, and Mitch Brady, Marcus, IA; grandchildren: Beaux Harman, Ike Paulsen, Kade Brady, Max Paulsen, and baby boy Brady due in February 2023; three brothers: Mike (Pam) Cronin of Cleghorn, IA, Tim (Angela) Cronin of Meriden, IA, and Mark (Kim) Cronin of Marcus, IA; seven sisters: Diane (Tom) Herrmann of Cologne, MN, Jane (Michael) Blee of St. Cloud, MN, Kathy Essick of Spencer, IA, Nancy (Dean) Gavin of Carver, MN, Carla (David) Muller of Sergeant Bluff, IA, Beth (Paul) Ireland of Big Lake, MN, and Amy (Chris) Doud of Urbandale, IA; three brothers-in-law:  David Brady, Omaha, NE, Dennis (June) Brady, Marcus, IA, and Terry Brady, West Des Moines, IA; five sisters-in-law: Michelle Brady, Sioux City, IA, Katie (Mark) Schluttner, Oronoco, MN, Denise (Joe) Miller, Sioux City, IA, Carol (Bob) Livermore, LeMars, IA, and Megan (Laura) Brady, Ankeny, IA; 9 step siblings; 31 Cronin nieces and nephews; 20 Brady nieces and nephews; and a plethora of friends. 

Barb was preceded in death by her parents: Joe and Marie Cronin; her step-mother: Joan Theisen Cronin; parents-in-law: Philip and Patricia Brady; brother: Patrick Cronin; brothers- in-law: Raymond Essick and Kevin Brady; step-siblings: Randy Theisen and Denise Theisen; and nephews: Benjamin Muller and Brent Schluttner. 

SERVICES

OFFICIATING

VISITATION

INTERMENT