1923
Wayne
2007
Wayne O'Connor
July 7, 1923 — September 21, 2007
Wayne Edmund O'Connor was born on July 7, 1923, in Graceville, MN, to parents, William H. and Gertrude (Schutz) O'Connor. He was baptized and later confirmed into the Catholic faith in the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Graceville, MN. Wayne attended St. Mary's Academy where he graduated in 1940.
In January 1943, Wayne was enlisted with the United States Marines where he served his country during World War II. Wayne received his honorable discharge in February 1946, having earned the rank of Corporal.
Upon his return to Graceville, Wayne worked for the City of Graceville as a bartender and later as manager in the Graceville Bar.
In 1951, Wayne met Arlys Zimmerman at a dance held at the Sioux Pavilion in Ortonville, MN, and they soon began dating. Wayne and Arlys were married on February 14, 1952, at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Graceville, MN. Together the couple made their home in Graceville where they were blessed with nine children; Dennis, Maureen, Mark, Kathy, Connie, Carol, Patti, Bill, and Steven. The couple had celebrated fifty-five years together before Arlys' passing in June of this year.
In his spare time, Wayne enjoyed tending to his yard or just sitting and watching birds. He treasured time spent with family and friends and cherished memories made with his grandchildren. Wayne was a member of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church as well as the Jesse Poole American Legion and the VFW.
Wayne passed away on Friday, September 21, 2007, at the Ortonville Hospital in Ortonville, MN, reaching the age of 84 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Gertrude; wife, Arlys; son, Bill; brother, Leonard; and a sister, Eileen Geyer.
Left to cherish Wayne's memory are his eight children, Dennis O'Connor of Fargo, ND; Maureen (Roger) Schwagel of Beardsley, MN; Mark (Susanne) O'Connor of Fulda, Germany; Kathy (Dana) Dane of Stuttgart, Germany; Connie (Al) Jensen of New Prague, MN; Carol (Howie Beyer) O'Connor of Minneapolis, MN; Patti (Kelly) Stotesbery of Big Stone City, SD; and Steven (Jane) O'Connor of Moorhead, MN; fourteen grandchildren, Angie & Tim Schwagel; Christopher O'Connor; Will & Grace Dane; Andrew, Kyle, Scott & Katie Jensen; Nicholas, Taylor & Shannon Stotesbery; and Billy & Patrick O'Connor; one great-grandson, Jason Patrick Hirt; one brother, Rod O'Connor; one sister, Kathy Stotesbery; two sisters-in-law, Bernice Madsen and Judy Gregory; as well as many nieces, nephews, and extended family.
In January 1943, Wayne was enlisted with the United States Marines where he served his country during World War II. Wayne received his honorable discharge in February 1946, having earned the rank of Corporal.
Upon his return to Graceville, Wayne worked for the City of Graceville as a bartender and later as manager in the Graceville Bar.
In 1951, Wayne met Arlys Zimmerman at a dance held at the Sioux Pavilion in Ortonville, MN, and they soon began dating. Wayne and Arlys were married on February 14, 1952, at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Graceville, MN. Together the couple made their home in Graceville where they were blessed with nine children; Dennis, Maureen, Mark, Kathy, Connie, Carol, Patti, Bill, and Steven. The couple had celebrated fifty-five years together before Arlys' passing in June of this year.
In his spare time, Wayne enjoyed tending to his yard or just sitting and watching birds. He treasured time spent with family and friends and cherished memories made with his grandchildren. Wayne was a member of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church as well as the Jesse Poole American Legion and the VFW.
Wayne passed away on Friday, September 21, 2007, at the Ortonville Hospital in Ortonville, MN, reaching the age of 84 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Gertrude; wife, Arlys; son, Bill; brother, Leonard; and a sister, Eileen Geyer.
Left to cherish Wayne's memory are his eight children, Dennis O'Connor of Fargo, ND; Maureen (Roger) Schwagel of Beardsley, MN; Mark (Susanne) O'Connor of Fulda, Germany; Kathy (Dana) Dane of Stuttgart, Germany; Connie (Al) Jensen of New Prague, MN; Carol (Howie Beyer) O'Connor of Minneapolis, MN; Patti (Kelly) Stotesbery of Big Stone City, SD; and Steven (Jane) O'Connor of Moorhead, MN; fourteen grandchildren, Angie & Tim Schwagel; Christopher O'Connor; Will & Grace Dane; Andrew, Kyle, Scott & Katie Jensen; Nicholas, Taylor & Shannon Stotesbery; and Billy & Patrick O'Connor; one great-grandson, Jason Patrick Hirt; one brother, Rod O'Connor; one sister, Kathy Stotesbery; two sisters-in-law, Bernice Madsen and Judy Gregory; as well as many nieces, nephews, and extended family.