James O'Connor

james o'connor
James O'Connor, age 79, of New Hampton, IA, passed away on Tuesday, July 2, 2013 at Patty Elwood Center in Cresco, IA. James David O’Connor was born on August 30, 1933 to Dr. Edwin and Cecelia “Dee” (McGuire) O’Connor in New Hampton. He attended grade school in Alta Vista and at St. Mary’s School in New Hampton. While his father served in the US Army, Jim also attended several schools on the West Coast until returning to New Hampton where he was a 1951 graduate of New Hampton High School. Upon graduation, Jim attended the University of Iowa. Once completing his undergraduate degree, Jim enlisted into the US Army. He proudly served his country in the Korean War and received his honorable discharge in 1955. Jim then returned to the University of Iowa to complete his education in law graduating in 1959. He then joined James O’Donohoe in his law firm where he practiced law until his retirement. On April 23, 1960, Jim was united in marriage to Kathryn Hyland in Hastings, MN. The couple made their home and raised their six children in New Hampton. From 1961-1964, Jim served as the Chickasaw County Attorney and was the City of New Hampton’s attorney from 1964-1972. He also served as the New Hampton Chamber of Commerce President and was a long time member; also belonging to the New Hampton Rotary Club where he served a term as President. He was a member of Holy Family Parish – St. Mary’s Center, the New Hampton Jaycees, a 50 year member of the Iowa Bar Association and St. Mary’s Parish council, where he also served a term as president. In 2006, Jim was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. He was able to remain at home until January of 2012 when he entered the Patty Elwood Center for Alzheimer’s patients in Cresco, IA. Jim enjoyed traveling, golf, bird watching, fishing, gardening, reading, listening to music and especially spending time with his children and grandchildren. Jim is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Kathryn O’Connor of New Hampton; their six children, Pat (Joe) Weigel of Clear Lake, IA, Peg (Dennis) Clinch of Chandler, AZ, Ed (Jean) O’Connor of North Oaks, MN, Ann (Lance) Lasher of Charles City, IA, Kate Hartzler of Roland, IA and Joe (Susan) O’Connor of Savage, MN; their 12 grandchildren, Tyler Weigel, Kristin Weigel, Lauren O'Connor, Megan O'Connor, Abby Lasher, Kali Lasher, Nate Lasher, Zach Hartzler, Derek Hartzler, Ian O'Connor, Colin O'Connor, Ryan O'Connor; his sister, Jane (Don) Grove of Elkader, IA and his brother-in-law, Steve (Sarah) Hyland of St. Paul, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Dee O’Connor; his in-laws, Frank and Alice Hyland and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Mickey and Jim O’Connor. Cemetery: Burial will held at a later date at St. Mary's Cemetery in New Hampton. In Lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the family. The family will be donating the memorials to charities of their choice. Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00pm on Friday, July 5, 2013 at Conway-Markham Funeral Home in New Hampton, Iowa with a scriptural wake service at 6:30pm. Visitation will continue at St. Joseph’s gathering space one hour prior to the funeral mass on Saturday. A Mass of Christian Burial for James will be held at 10:30am on Saturday, July 6, 2013 at Holy Family – St. Joseph’s Center in New Hampton with Msgr. Carl Schmitt celebrating.

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  1. Dear Kathy and family, We are sending love and saying prayers for Jim and all you family. Jim was a kind and loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. May he rest now in peace. God bless you all.

  2. God has blessed Jim by taking him home! May all your wonderful memories sustain you until you meet again!

  3. i am so sorry to hear of jims passing – my parents thought the world of jim and always told us how professional he was as their attorney and as a loyal friend that they could always trust – I didn’t know jim as well as I knew Kathy and kate – Kathy you and kate were a great help to me and my family and I appreciate you both for that – you are all in my prayers through this most difficult time

  4. Kathy & family, Our deepest sympathy and prayers to
    all of you in the loss of your husband, father, and grandfather. He was a wonderful man and I enjoyed working for him in his early years of law practice. You will truly miss him but he is now in his eternal kingdom and looking down on all of you. May he rest in Peace.

  5. Kathy and family, May each of you hold the memories of your husband and father very dear to your hearts. Jim was such a kind, loving and considerate man. He was a friend who was there no matter what. Not only you, but many of us have lost a dear friend today. . . a man of integrity, one who would tell you the truth, and even though it might hurt, it was said in such a loving way you felt good. May God bless each one of you in your sorrow and loss, and help you to grow in love with loving memories.
    Forever indebted to both Jim and to you Kathy..
    lovingly, Marlene Shaw

  6. Kathy and Family,We were sad to hear of Jim’s passing,but are glad that you’ll have many great memories to help you through this difficult time. Many fun times will be remembered
    by us of our folks and Kathy and Jim having a “Good Time”.
    Jim was a Class act,may he now rest in peace.

  7. Kathy, Ann & all the rest of the wonderful O’Connor clan: Jim was a wonderful man! I have never (other than my parents 🙂 Seen 2 people more in love & obvious BEST friends as Jim & Kathy! You have such a wonderful family and MANY memories to hold on to. You are all in my thoughts and prayers!!

  8. Our deepest sympathies to the O’Connor family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Jim was such a great guy. Will remember how he greeted everyone with a friendly smile and always a pleasant compliment to share. He was very respected in the community and was a true gentleman. God takes only the BEST and he certainly was that!! May he rest in peace.

  9. So sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. It’s been such a long path to his eternal reward, but we’re confident he’ll be welcomed with open arms. Prayers to all the O’Connors as we all mourn this loss.

  10. Dear O’Connors,

    We send our sympathy to all on the loss of a very special person. Know that you’re in our thoughts and prayers.

  11. I am so sad to hear of Jim’s death. I got to know Jim recently when we served together on the public library board. What delightful conversations we had! He had such a distinct way of bringing class and intelligence with thought-provoking ideas. He will truly be missed by all. You are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

  12. Kathie and family and Jane Grove. Our deepest sympathy on the death of Jim. He was a very good man.
    Our prayers and thoughts are with all of you.

  13. Kathy and family,
    So sorry to her about Jim , he was a very speical man.
    I will be out of town but my thoughts and prayers are with you and your lovely family. May god bless you all.
    Linda & Gary & family

  14. Kathy and family: So sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. He was a great guy and I thoroughly enjoyed working with him. He will be greatly missed by many. Remember he will always be with you if you need him and you just need to talk to him.

  15. Kathy and Family: I am so sorry to hear about Jim’s passing. I have such fond memories of your family when we were neighbors and such respect and fondness for all of you! I think Jim is free and in a great place with the other angels!!
    Please let me know if there is anything that we can do for any of you! Karen and Mark Steffes

  16. Kathy,
    Our thoughts and prayers to you and the entire family.
    We’ve enjoyed watching you and Jim raise your family.
    He was a fine man and a great example for many in our generation.

  17. O’Connor family, we are very sorry for your loss and pray you find strength in knowing he is at peace with the Lord.

  18. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire O’Connor family with the loss of Jim. He was a great man and proud of his entire family. Always enjoyed the great visits with him. He will be greatly missed.

    Our Sympathy!

  19. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, Kathy. May you be comforted by fond memories.

  20. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of grievance. May God bless you and keep you strong through this difficult time.

  21. So sorry about your loss. Had great memories of Jim, he was a wonderful husband and father to all of you. God be with you through these next few days.

  22. To Kathy and the entire O’Connor family, we send our sympathies and prayers. Jim was such a brilliant, witty, loving man with so many interests who is now free of the illness which limited him. We enjoyed our conversations with him (about bird watching or family or whatever) after mass or at other functions.

  23. We remember Jim fondly as a friend and associate. During his time on the library board, he was engaged and proactive. He helped accomplish many goals to better serve our community. More importantly he was a mentor and friend. He taught me so much with his wit and wisdom. Thank you Kathy and family for sharing him with us.

  24. What a truly great man! He was always so kind to everyone. He and Kathy did an excellent job of raising an extraordinary family.

  25. My deepest sympathy to the O’Connor clan. My thoughts and prayers are with each of you. I have very fond memories of Jim growing up in New Hampton. Hugs to all.

  26. Please accept our sincere condolences. May the words quoted from this song bring you a measure of comfort as it did for us.
    ”If a man should die, can he live again?
    Hear the promise God has made:
    He will call; The dead will answer.
    They shall live at his command.
    For he will have a longing
    For the work of his own hand.
    So have faith, and do not wonder,
    For our God can make us stand.
    And we shall live forever,
    As the work of his own hand ”(Job 14:13-15)

  27. Sincere heartfelt sympathies to you Kathy and all the family. I only wish I lived closer to be with you as you were for me last December. Our friendship has endured for over 50 years. With love and friendship. Mary

  28. Kathy and Family,
    Our deepest sympathy on Jim’s passing. As you celebrate his accomplished life as a husband, father, grandfather and community leader, know that he will be missed by many. May good memories and God’s blessing bring you peace and comfort.

  29. Kathy and Family,
    Our thoughts and prayers are with you all,you have always been a very special couple and family.Jim will be greatly missed,but all the wonderful memories you have will live forever.Tom and Marian

  30. We are so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. He was a true gentleman always walking tall with a loving heart for his family and friends. May God’s grace shine down upon you and help give you love and strength to carry on Jim’s legacy.

  31. So sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. I have been going to the Mayo Clinic this week with a friend and just received the newspaper in the mail today where I discovered the article about Jim. Had I known earlier I certainly would have been there to see you this morning. Jim and your entire family have always been very special to me. I will be keeping you all in my prayers.

  32. So sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. I have been going to the Mayo Clinic this week with a friend and just received the newspaper in the mail today where I discovered the article about Jim. Had I known earlier I certainly would have been there to see you this morning. Jim and your entire family have always been very special to me. I will be keeping you all in my prayers.

  33. Our deepest sympathy to the O’Connor family. My God give you comfort during this time of mourning.
    Jan and Lance Manson

  34. Dear Kathy and Family,
    We just arrived home from vacation and found out about your great loss of your loving father and husband, so sorry that we were not able to attend. We send you our thoughts and prayers, he will be greatly missed by all.
    Sincerely,
    Nancy and Tom Ryan

  35. Kathy, Ann, Lance and family, The world is less without Jim, but heaven is so much more. He was such a thoughtful and kind man and he and Kathy have truly paid that forward through their wonderful family. Thanks for that. Each of you is in our hearts and prayers. John and Sherri.

  36. Kathy and Family, We are so saddened to learn of Jim’s death. We always enjoyed visiting with him and you when we were in New Hampton with our family. Please know our love is with you now, and may the Light of God’s Love surround you now and always. Jerry and Sharon


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