Nancy Jutila O'Brien

Mrs. O’Brien was the daughter of Henry and Senja Cecilia (“Celia”) Heikkila Jutila and was born on February 21, 1934, on the family homestead in Mullan, ID, where her family operated a dairy.

She graduated from Mullan High School in 1952 and attended the University of Idaho, where she met the love of her life, Doug O’Brien, whom she married on August 29, 1954. The couple spent the first three years of married life in Colorado while Doug was in the Army and then received his MBA from the University of Denver.

Nancy, as always, was busy, too, working as a secretary for the VP of Continental Airlines.

In 1957, Nancy and her husband moved to Idaho Falls, where they raised their children. Nancy, as always, kept moving. She got involved in the community, making and maintaining many cherished friendships through Trinity United Methodist Church, bridge clubs, P.E.O. Chapter BG, Sociables, golf, skiing, and snowmobiling.

Even in retirement, Nancy never stopped moving. She loved ballroom dancing, square and round dancing, where she and Doug met many dear friends, as well as spending time at the family cabin in Island Park. Throughout their marriage, they went on many trips– including visiting all 50 states and nearly 50 countries -- and spent the winters in their home at Lake Havasu, AZ.

Nancy’s friends remember her as kind and thoughtful. She was the friend who called, brought cookies and soup, or provided a ride when needed.

Nancy was preceded in death by her husband, T. Douglas O’Brien, who passed away in 2019. Nancy is survived by her sons Kevin (Rena) of Woodinville, WA, and Barry (Cheryl) of Idaho Falls; five grandchildren, Jessica (John) Trenkamp, Elisabeth O’Brien, Henry O’Brien, Mary O’Brien, and Molly O’Brien; and two great-grandchildren, Colin and Joseph Trenkamp. She also is survived by brothers Gary (Sharon) Jutila of Colville, WA, and Keith (Diane) Jutila of Rathdrum, ID; brother-in-law Bob (Karlene) O’Brien of Littleton, CO, nephews Mike (Shirley) Jutila and Bob (Amy) Jutila of Pinehurst, ID, as well as nieces Kim (Mark) Wilson of Colville, Christine (Mario) Flores of Highlands Ranch, CO, Anne O’Brien of Littleton, and Shari (Scott) Garitone of Blanchard, ID.

A graveside service will be held at Fielding Memorial Park in Idaho Falls at 11 am on Saturday, October 30th. Memorials may be directed to Trinity United Methodist Church, 237 N. Water Ave., Idaho Falls, ID 83402; the Museum of Idaho, 200 N Eastern Ave, Idaho Falls, ID 83402; or to a charity of your choice.