Patrick O'Brien

Dr. Patrick T. O’Brien, D.D.S., of Backus, Minnesota, died on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Brainerd, Minnesota, following a long-term illness. A celebration of life service will be held at Bettendorf Presbyterian Church in Bettendorf, Iowa on Sunday, July 14, 2024, at 1:00 p.m., with Rev. Troy Winder officiating. A luncheon with story sharing will follow the service at the same location.

Patrick was born to Merle Jerome and Betty Jane (Mears) O’Brien in Newton, Iowa, on November 9, 1941. He was the older brother of two loving sisters. He grew up in Newton, IA, graduating from Newton High School in the class of 1959.  After high school, he attended the University of Iowa, graduating with a B.A. degree in 1963. He continued his education, earning a Doctor of Dental Surgery from the College of Dentistry at the University of Iowa in 1967. He married his wife, Carol O’Brien (Jirsa), on June 24, 1967. He was a Dental Intern for the U.S. Public Health Service Hospital in Seattle, Washington for one year and then served two years as a Dental Officer for the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut, until July of 1970. He then practiced dentistry with two other dentists in Davenport, Iowa, until opening his own dental practice in Bettendorf, Iowa. He ran his practice until his retirement in 1998.  He was an adjunct professor from 1978 through 2002 at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry. He was a member of dental societies including Omicron Kappa Upsilon Honorary Dental Society and served for a time as President for both the Davenport District Dental Society and the Scott County Dental Society.

Pat loved fishing in northern Minnesota with his family and fishing buddies. He was a member of the Davenport Country Club for many years where he enjoyed golfing and Sunday morning brunch with his wife and children. He was a loyal fan of the Iowa Hawkeye athletic teams. He adored his grandchildren and loved seeing them grow.

Patrick was survived by his wife of almost 57 years, Carol; son, John Patrick O’Brien (Kathleen) of Long Grove, Iowa; daughter, Erin Christine O’Brien of Plymouth, Minnesota; daughter, Rev. Katherine Ann O’Brien Soltau (Jeffrey) of Maple Grove, Minnesota; sisters, Barbara Ann Mihalovich (Daniel) of Tucson, Arizona, and Mary Kathleen Rooney of Tucson Arizona; his grandchildren, Maxwell, Ellie and Emmett; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother and father and his in-laws, Frank and Mary Jirsa.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.