James D. O'Connor

James Donald O’Connor, loving husband, father, and grandfather, passed on to his heavenly home at the age of 80, in Mankato, MN on March 1, 2016.

Funeral service will be held on Friday, March 4, 2016, at Mankato Mortuary at 2:00 pm.  A visitation will be held from 12:00 to 2:00 pm on Friday at the mortuary.  A private family burial will take place at Calvary Cemetery in Mankato.

James, son of John F. O’Connor and Elva Brecht O’Connor, was born on April 17, 1935, in Good Thunder, MN.  He attended schools in Good Thunder and Mapleton. After his graduation in 1954, he worked on the family farm.  He joined the US Army in 1957 and was honorably discharged from the US Army Reserve in 1963. He was employed by Sears as a Service Technician for 30 years, retiring in 1997. He was united in marriage to Sharon DeVlaeminck on September 24, 1966, in St. Peter, MN.  James found much enjoyment in hunting, fishing, camping, photography, and repairing just about anything, and most of all, spending time with family and friends.

Surviving James is his wife, Sharon of 49 years; two daughters, Shelli (Shawn) Sutherland of Chaska, MN and Cathi (Darin) Schirmer of Minnesota Lake, MN; and six grandchildren; Shaye, Shandon, and Shanna Sutherland and Meghan, Madison, and Mason Schirmer; also several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, John O’Connor, a sister, Marie Nelson, and an infant brother.