Thomas L. O’Connor, 84, Blooming Prairie

Thomas L. O’Connor, age 84, of Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, died Sunday, Feb. 21, 2016, at Mt. Vista Medical Center in Mesa, Arizona.  
Thomas Lawrence was born Sept. 21, 1931 in Westfield Township, Dodge County, Minnesota, to Thomas Sylvester and Mary Lavilla (Kruger) O’Connor. He attended Westfield Country School and Blooming Prairie High School. Tom was united in marriage to Barbara Ann Angell on Jan. 3, 1952, at St. Columbanus Catholic Church in Blooming Prairie.
Tom was born to farm, and he and Barb raised their family and have farmed in Newry Township their entire married life. He was one of the first to invest in startup business ventures that would benefit the ag community, and was proud of his 45-year affiliation selling Pioneer Seed.  It was Tom’s wish to leave a lasting farming legacy for the next generation and continue the remarkable family tradition in agriculture from 1858 to the present.
Tom was a longtime member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Newry Township, as well a St. Columbanus Catholic Church in Blooming Prairie, of which his great-grandparents were founding members. He was also active in several fraternal organizations including the Elks, Eagles, Moose and was a 3rd degree member of the Knights of Columbus. Over their lives, Tom and Barb traveled throughout the world, including extensive motorhome travel throughout North and South America.  For the last five years, they have enjoyed winters at their home in Montesa at Gold Canyon, Arizona.  They were fortunate to have developed lasting friendships throughout their married life and their many travels.  Tom enjoyed golfing, bowling and playing cards. A man with a generous heart, he was always willing to help others.
Survivors include his wife Barb; children Michael (Beverly) O’Connor of Blooming Prairie, Ellen (Larry) O’Connor Stebbins of Blooming Prairie, Julie (Greg) O’Connor Schiller of Austin, Jim (Kelli) O’Connor of Blooming Prairie; grandchildren, Michelle (Michael) Miller of Austin, Mary Beth (Daniel) Donnelly of Austin, April O’Connor of Austin, David O’Connor of Austin, Kristine (Nathan) Whiting of Lakeville, Ryan (Marya) Stebbins of Dundas, Melissa (Todd) Johnston of Owatonna, Kelly (Elizabeth) Trom of Hudsonville, MI, Katie (Sam) Wencl, Patrick (Krystal Klemmensen) O’Connor, Megan (Jacob Lightly) O’Connor, all of  Blooming Prairie; great grandchildren, Mariah, Thomas, Micah, Regan, Garrett, Connor, Bradley, Olivia, Liam, Nicholas, Kayce, Madison, Shelby, Alexis, Lukas, Ashley, Sadie, Bennett; great great granddaughter Brooklynn; step grandchildren Clara, Kaitlin, Mark; sisters Patricia Kermes of Hayward, Frances (Dennis) Njos Bramsted of Blooming Prairie, Eileen Ptacek of Owatonna; many nieces and nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. 
Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 29, 2016, at St. Columbanus Catholic Church in Blooming Prairie, with Fr. Thomas Niehaus officiating.  Interment will be in St. Mary’s Church Cemetery in Newry Township, Freeborn County.  Visitation was held on Sunday, Feb. 28, from 1 to 5 p.m. at St. Columbanus Catholic Church in Blooming Prairie, and continued on Monday morning for one hour prior to services at church. There was a 5 p.m. Knights of Columbus Rosary Sunday afternoon at St. Columbanus Catholic Church. 
Worlein Blooming Prairie Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.