James W. O'Donnell 1878-1947

ODONNELL, DOUGHERTY, DEENY, TROENDLE, POTTRATZ, HANSON, SHORTT, HOWE

Posted By: Pat Pasmore (email)
Date: 1/19/2004 at 17:01:10

James W. O'Donnell Passes Away Friday.
The death of James Willard O'Donnell occurred Friday morning, Sept. 5, at ten o'clock at St. Francis hospital, La Crosse where he had been a patient for the past month or so, suffering with leukemia. About a year and a half ago he went to the hospital for treatment for several weeks after his health had been failing. He was born Oct. 6th, 1878, in Makee township, a son of John O'Donnell and Eunice Dougherty. He received his education in the rural schools, later attending business college in Decorah. On Jan. 9th, 1906, at Lycurgus, he was married to Miss Gertrude Deeny who preceded him in death on April 7th, 1929. They were the parents of four daughters, Mmes. Harold Troendle, Floyd Pottratz and Miss Dorothy O'Donnell, of Allamakee County, and Mrs. Lester Hanson, of Manitowoc, Wis., who mourn the loss of a kind and loving father. Other immediate survivors include his only brother, Anton, of Makee township and two sisters, Mmes. Anna Shortt and Grace Howe, both of Waukon, besides several grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Following his marriage he made his home at Churchtown where he was widely known for having carried the rural mails for many years until his retirement in 1935. Their home for many years also was the telephone exchange for the Churchtown subscribers of the Paint Creek Telephone Co. and the farmers of that vicinity. In all his services toward the public "Jim," as he was familiarly known, was courteous and accommodating and a host of acquaintances will
read with regret of his passing. He was an active Democrat in political circles for many years and served as township chairman as well as a term as county chairman some years ago. He was a member of the K. C.'s, the Foresters and the Elks. About two years ago he sold his home and the telephone exchange at Churchtown and has since made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Harold
Troendle where the remains were waked and numerous friends called to express sympathy to the bereaved daughters. The funeral services were held on Monday morning at St. Mary's church, Lycurgus, with Father Thomas O'Toole offering the Mass of Requiem and saying the final prayers at the grave side.
Burial was made in the adjoining cemetery beside his wife and carrying his mortal remains to their final resting place were Pat Mahoney, Frank Graham, Frank Teeling, Waukon; George Scholtes, Charles Whalen and John Becker, Lansing. Among out of town relatives and friends attending the services were his daughter, Mrs. Lester Hanson and husband and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Hanson, Manitowoc, Wis., and Mrs. Harrison Toney of Rockford, Iowa.