Monica Honaker

Monica Joan (O'Connor) Honaker was born October 21, 1940 to Laurence and Monica (Manion) O'Connor in Dunlap, Iowa.  She was raised in the Dunlap area and she graduated from St. Joseph Catholic School in Dunlap in 1958. She then attended nursing school in Council Bluffs and became a registered nurse. She was a registered pediatric nurse and critical care nurse at Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs, and later worked as emergency room head nurse at Bergan Mercy Hospital in Omaha. Jo worked as Director of Medical Services for Union Pacific Railroad until her retirement in 2006. Jo married Darrell Honaker in 1963 and the couple lived in Council Bluffs. She was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Council Bluffs. Jo will best be remembered for being a tireless caregiver and her endless devotion to her family and friends.

Jo died on December 25, 2014 at Hospice House-Josie Harper Residence in Omaha, Nebraska at the age of 74 years, two months, and four days.

Jo was preceded in death by her parents; three infant children, Elizabeth Nell, Laurence Dean, and Leonard John;  brother, John O'Connor;  and sister Marilyn O'Connor Ganong. She is survived by her two children, Amy (Phil) Meekins of Burlington, Iowa, Michael (Sheila) Honaker of Marion, Iowa;  three grandchildren, Abigail and Jay Meekins and Adilenn Honaker; five siblings, Patsy Hanigan of Dunlap, Iowa, Larry O'Connor of Barling, Arkansas, Suzanne (Robert) Rannells of Nashville, Tennessee, William O'Connor of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Rosemary O'Connor of Boston, Massachusetts; numerous nieces and nephews; and many other relatives and friends.