Joseph H. O'Neil

Joseph H. "Joe" O'Neil, age 82, of Pierz, MN, passed away Friday, September 28, 2007 at St. Benedicts Center in St. Cloud, MN. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30am Monday, October 1st at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Pierz, MN, with Rev. Gerald Dalseth officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4-8pm Sunday, Sept. 30th at Emblom-Brenny Funeral Service in Pierz with a Rosary at 4:30pm and Parish Prayers at 7pm. Visitation will continue at the funeral home Monday morning from 9-10am. Joseph Henry O'Neil was born on April 18, 1925 in Granite Ledge Township, Benton County, Minnesota, the 10th child of William & Anna (Traczyk) O'Neil. He grew up on a farm in Granite Ledge Township and attended country school nearby. At the age of 15, he moved with his family to a farm near Rice, where he farmed with his brother. He was united in marriage to Patricia Goodridge on April 13, 1959 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Rice, Minnesota. The couple made their home on the family farm until March 1967. They moved to a farm near Pierz, where they farmed and raised ten children. He planted and maintained an immaculate garden and also assisted Pat at the Wee Care Center in Pierz. The couple moved to Pierz in 2004 after Joe was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. He was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Pierz. He enjoyed gardening, fishing, deer hunting and playing cards. Joe's family was very important to him. He enjoyed his children, grandchildren, and great-granddaughter. He also enjoyed the children at the daycare and was known as "Grandpa" by many of them. He was a generous giver of the produce raised in his garden, giving it to family, friends, the food shelf and others in the community. Joe was a wonderful father and husband. His sense of humor, generosity, patience and kindness will be remembered and cherished by his family. Survivors include his wife, Patricia "Pat" of Pierz; children, Joe (Tammi) O'Neil of Pierz, Tom (Brenda) O'Neil of Royalton, Mary (Dan) Henry of Royalton, Julie (Rick) Heying of Royalton, Theresa (Greg) Wiggers of Pierz, Margie O'Neil of St. Cloud, John (Stacy) O'Neil of St. Cloud, Tim (Wendy) O'Neil of Pierz, Colleen (Dean) Isder of Bowlus and Patti (Todd) Block of Pierz; 18 grandchildren (with two more on the way) and one great-granddaughter; sister, Anna O'Neil of Rockville and sister-in-law, Hildegarde O'Neil of Foley. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and six sisters. Memorials designated for the family will be donated toward Alzheimer's research.