SHULLSBURG, Wis. - Barbara J. O’Leary, 90, of Shullsburg, Wis. passed away Dec. 14, 2021 at Sienna Crest Assisted Living in Darlington, Wis.

Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 23 at Evangelical Free Church, 5605 Main St., Gratiot with Rev. Glenn Andes officiating. Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Shullsburg. Visitation will be from 9 until 10:45 a.m. on Thursday at the church. The Erickson Funeral Home in Shullsburg is serving the family.

Barb was born Feb. 16, 1931 in Mendota to Elmer and Marian (Deaner) Brown. She married James E. Hollars on Oct. 8, 1950 in Mendota. On Feb. 26, 1965 she married Harold M. Atherton in Mendota. He preceded her in death. She later married John J. O’Leary on Dec. 5, 1990 in Shullsburg. He preceded her in death.

Survivors include her children, Elizabeth Ann (John) Scott of Gratiot, Wis., Tim (Ronda) Hollars of Malden and Richard Hollars; a step-son, Kevin (Collene) Atherton of Champagne; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren that she absolutely adored; one brother, James Brown of Batavia; one sister, Betty Phalen of Mendota; and one sister-in-law, Darlene Brown of Bloomington, Minn.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Harold Atherton and John J. O’Leary; two sons, David Hollars and Michael Hollars; one sister, Joyce Hoffman; a step-son, James Atherton; one brother, William Brown; two brothers-in-law, Lee Hoffman and Harry Phalen; two sisters-in-law, Karen Brown and Judy Brown; and one great-grandson, Zander Sweeney.

Barb grew up in Mendota graduating from Mendota High School in 1949 and later from Galesburg School of Nursing. She spent most of her working years employed as a bookkeeper for various companies throughout the area. She was a past member of St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in Shullsburg. In her free time, Barb enjoyed doing crossword puzzles, picture puzzles, fishing, needlework and sewing. She never passed up an opportunity to travel to local restaurants with her family to enjoy a nice meal and enjoy their company. Her family was the most important part of her life. The time she got to spend with her family – especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren meant the world to her. She made sure each of them knew how proud she was of them.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ericksonfuneralhome.com.

For those who prefer, a memorial fund has been established in Barb’s name.