Gary F. O'Connell

Gary Francis O'Connell, age 75 of Mondovi passed away on Wednesday, December 5, 2018 at his home. He was born on April 9, 1943 in Goodhue County Minnesota, the son of Francis G. and Mazie Marie (Keifer) O'Connell. Gary was united in marriage to Patricia "Patty" Odegard at St. Joseph Catholic Church, in Menomonie on November 27, 1965. Gary had worked for Fehr Concrete in Eau Claire for 28 years. Later, he began as a laborer with the Local #317 Union, working in various aspects of concrete construction from helping build Oakwood Mall and the Dog Track in Hudson to assisting with many bridges and dams along the Mississippi. When he retired from the Local #317, he pursued his love of horses, especially horse pulls. Gary also enjoyed working on his lawnmowers, trucks and bicycles. Any chance he could, Gary stopped by every thrift sale he could find. Gary treasured his time at the White Pig Tavern in Mondovi watching Gun Smoke on the TV. He was a member of both the Trail Dusters and Midnight Riders of Mondovi, as well as the 4-H group. Gary never met a stranger he couldn't talk with. He was always running into people he knew and cherished the time that they were able to chat. Gary is survived by his five children, Lisa Jo (Jon) Miller of Eleva, Billie Jo (Roger) Fedie of Eleva, Christopher (Rosemary) O'Connell of Mondovi, Tracy Jo (Tim) Schiefelbein of Strum, and Mindy Jo Crawford (Mike Linberg) of Modena; 11 grandchildren, Jacob Miller, Dillon and Derek Fedie, Karissa Jo O'Connell, Quinton and Connor Schiefelbein, Dakota and Cheyenne Jo Crawford and Tessa Jo, Steven and Brianna Linberg; great-grandson, Carter Miller; siblings, Paul (Penny) of Clear Lake, Peggy Carlson of Woodville, Dan (Joan) of Boyceville, Dave of Menomonie, Donna (Jeff) Pittman of Clear Lake and Elizabeth (Joel) Bengtson of Amery; brothers and sisters-in-law, Marjorie Rice, Stewart "Lenny" (Sadie) Odegard, Lana Odegard, Cliff Buchholz, Jean (Jim) Bauer, John Odegard and Gerald "Jerry" (Mary) Odegard; many other beloved family members and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; Francis and Mazie O'Connell wife, Patty; sister, Mary Lou Stratton and sisters-in-law, Carmen Odegard, Audrey Passe; brothers-in-law, Alvin "Sandy" Odegard, Scott Raymond and Gene Rice. A funeral service will be held at Talbot Family Funeral Homes, Mondovi Chapel on Monday, December 10, 2018 at 11:00 am. Cremation rites will be accorded and Gary will be interred at 3:30 pm at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. A visitation will be held at Talbot Family Funeral Homes, Mondovi Chapel on Sunday, December 9, 2018 from 2:00 - 5:00 pm and then again on Monday at 10:00 am until the time of the service. Gary's children would like to extend a heartfelt and sincere "THANK YOU" to all of dad's caregivers.