John O'Hara

John O'Hara

 

 

John Roger O’Hara, 84, passed away at his home in Decorah on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2017. 

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated by the Rev. Phillip Gibbs on Thursday, Nov. 2, at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church in Decorah.

Interment was in the church cemetery. 

Casket bearers were Ryan Sparrgrove, Joshua Sparrgrove, Travis Sparrgrove, Montana Bohr, Jesse Halweg, Colten Kinnison, Zach Benda, and Cavin Bohr.

Arrangements were handled by Schluter-Balik Funeral Home in Decorah.

John was born Sept. 23, 1933, the son of Joseph and Catherine (Ryan) O’Hara in rural Allamakee County.

John graduated from St Patrick’s Catholic School in Waukon in 1952. 

John married Kathleen Ryan on May 14, 1960 and to this union five children were born. The couple later divorced. 

John always wanted to be a farmer and to that end he worked for various farmers until he was given the opportunity to operate his own farm in the Frankville area. In 1968 John realized his dream and bought a farm in Glenwood Township. On this farm he raised dairy cows, hogs and horses as well as the crops to feed them. For a number of years he was also a Funk’s seed corn dealer. John learned how to raise dairy heifers for showing even though he had never been in 4-H. 

His love of horses was embraced by his children and he enjoyed riding in a couple of parades. John enjoyed showing off his refurbished tractors in parades and rides with the Rivers and Bluffs Tractor Club. He was an avid fan of classic country music and dancing. 

On Aug. 21, 1999 John was united in marriage to Jenny Larson. Together they enjoyed dancing, playing cards, bowling, having friends over for coffee and a little traveling. In 2002 they moved into Decorah. 

John continued to help out at the farm as often as he could. 

As important as his farm was to him, John put his family first by hosting the annual O’Hara family reunion, holiday celebrations, and attending events that involved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He taught his children to be good workers, to be a good sibling, build a fence, drive a tractor, how to dance, but especially how to be a good parent.   

John was preceded in death by his loving wife of 18 years, Jenny; his parents Joseph and Catherine O’Hara; his siblings Francis Schwarz, Dorothy (Barney) Zeimet, Donald (Janet) O’Hara, Robert O’Hara, Jim (Mae) O’Hara, and Kathryn (Tony) Scudella.

He is survived by his brother Kenneth (Shirley) O’Hara of Waukon; his five children: Peggy (John) Sparrgrove of Castalia, Kayleen (Jerry Gray) Kinnison of Mazomanie, Wis., Patsy (Mark Hageman) O’Hara of Decorah, Roger (Katrina McCabe) O’Hara of Decorah, and Keri (Tim) Sand of Mabel, Minn.; his stepchildren: Chuck Larson of Waukon, Steve (Jean) Larson of Livermore, Deanne (John) Stogdell of Mt. Pleasant, and Thomas (Karen) Larson of Richfield, Minn.; 25 grandchildren: Ryan (Brianne) Sparrgrove, Amanda, Joshua, Travis Sparrgrove; Mikayla Kinnison, Colten (Meghan Kerrigan) Kinnison, Jesse          (Alyssa) Halweg, Jenna (Scott Cole) Halweg, Montana and Cavin Bohr; Zach, Desiree Benda; Addyson, Isabella, Gabrielle Sand; Kristen (Jim) Quayle; Michael Poole, Jeremy Larson, Jessica (Matt) Emerson, Christopher Larson, Eric  (Becky) Larson, Karen (Dallas) Clark, Jeff (Shawna) Larson, John Russ Stodgell, Conrad Stodgell, Thomas Stodgell, Rachel and Sarah Larson; 22 great-grandchildren: Dillion, Blake, Chloe Sparrgrove; Taylor Sparrgrove-Nelson; Brekin, Brinley Halweg; Grayson Benda; Mike Woodruff; Lexie Hobson; Brianne Rice; Cameron Emerson; Jacob, Connor Larson; Dane, Camden, Hazel Clark; Eddie, Charlotte, Logan, Kendra Larson; Gabrielle, Hendrix Stodgell; and numerous generations of nephews, nieces, and friends.

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