Obituary of Barbara Jane Ocel
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Barbara Jane Ocel, longtime resident of Sioux City, Iowa, passed away on May 11, 2021.
Barb was born on May 5, 1935 in St. Paul, MN. The daughter of Falk and Florence Forsen, she grew up in St. Paul attending school there and graduating in 1953.
On January 21, 1956, she married Stephen J. Ocel of Minneapolis. They relocated to Omaha and five years later transferred to Sioux City, Iowa, where they bought a home and raised two daughters. In 2013, Barb moved to Seabrook, Texas to be near her daughters.
While in Sioux City, Barb made many friends with lasting relationships that spanned 50 years. She enjoyed gardening, photography, crossword puzzles and traveling. She was a 55-year breast cancer survivor and truly embraced life, friendships, and family to the fullest.
Barb is survived by daughters Sue Ocel of Seabrook, Texas and Cindy Ocel of Houston, Texas, as well as nieces Margie Holmgren (Ron), Marianne Christenson (Chris), both of Minneapolis, and Sharon Hall of Dallas.
Barbara is preceded in death by her parents, her husband and her sister, Marilyn Vann.
Celebration of Life and graveside services are being held in Sioux City, Iowa.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association at act.alz.org or Cure Alzheimer’s Fund at curealz.org.
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