Lynn Frances Uhl

Lynn Barry Uhl passed away Tuesday, May 5th at the age of 83. An enthusiastic grandmother, cradle Catholic, dedicated nurse, and lifelong friend to so many, she lived a rich, full life and will be missed.

Born to Mae (Sokolowski) & George Barry in Detroit, Michigan as the oldest of four, she grew up in Sioux City and graduated from Blessed Sacrament and Heelan High School. She was born there because her Polish parents shepherded her away from Danbury where she was being pursued by the dashing Irish veteran, George Barry. His pursuit of Mae continued there. She later went to St. Catherine’s School of Nursing and developed lifelong friendships with her nursing friends. She spent her entire nursing career at the Veteran’s Hospital in Omaha and impacted thousands of lives through her caring professionalism. Nursing was her calling and she was proud to serve our veterans, retiring in 2005.

Lynn married her high school sweetheart, Dave Uhl, in 1968 and they raised three children in the Dundee neighborhood and St. Margaret Mary Parish. She was an active volunteer and participated in various social groups like Guild, Bridge Club, and coed volleyball. She was proud of her combined Irish and Polish heritage and was a frequent and active participant in all family reunions. They were proud to send their three children to St. Margaret Mary and Catholic high schools (Gross and Prep).

Upon retirement, Lynn & Dave moved to Sun City West, Arizona but Dave died the next year. She loved the climate but Lynn always missed her friends in Omaha. A few years later, Lynn married Phil Johnson who she met in Sun City West and they have lived part of the year in Minnesota and part in Arizona ever since.

In retirement Lynn enjoyed traveling and visiting her grandchildren. She was a frequent visitor to Washington where Molly and her husband, Greg Bodhaine, raised their three children (Ethan, Alicia, and Abby). Lynn was excited and determined to celebrate Abby’s wedding in March of this year. She was also a frequent visitor to Tim & Joanne and their three children (Henry, Lucy, and George) wherever they might live. Lynn always enjoyed visiting San Diego, where Barry & Jane were raising their two boys (David & Colin).

As Alzheimer’s crept in and impacted her life, Lynn moved to a care facility in San Diego and she was grateful to Barry & Jane for their frequent visits. As a nurse, she was painfully aware of the toll of the disease but she was always a kind and generous soul. In the midst of this, she became a bit of a storyteller. She entertained friends and family alike with stories of the past, some of them actually true. For example, she mentioned walking our dog every morning (when we all know she never walked Bruno) and told people that she catered Abby's wedding (!).

Lynn was preceded in death by her parents, Mae & George, her sister, Helen Groth, her brother, Denny, and her first husband, Dave. She is survived by her husband, Phil; her brother, Bart Barry (Lori) of Omaha; her son Barry (Jane) of San Diego; her son Tim (Joanne) of Salinas; her daughter Molly (Greg) Bodhaine of University Place, WA; her eight grandchildren: Ethan Bodhaine of Los Angeles, Alicia Bodhaine of Tacoma, Abby (Davian) Prieto of Tacoma, Henry, Lucy, and George Uhl of Salinas, David & Colin Uhl of San Diego; unnamed/unborn Prieto great-grandchild; numerous cousins and nieces and nephews.

Memorial donations are requested to Heelan High School, 1231 Grandview Blvd, Sioux City, IA 51103.

Funeral service will be at St. Margaret Mary Church on June 8th at 10:30 am followed by a luncheon. Private interment will take place at Calvary Cemetery at a later date.