Henry J. O'Connell (1926-2018)

OCONNELL, KENNEDY

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 5/15/2018 at 14:56:32

Henry J. “Hank” O’Connell, 91, of Bankston, Iowa, was born into eternal life with Jesus Wednesday, May 10, 2018 at his home in Bankston, Iowa.
Friends and relatives of Hank may call from 3 to 8 p.m., Monday, May 14, 2018 at the Reiff Funeral Home in Farley, Iowa, where a wake service will be held at 2:30 p.m, and a KC Rosary will be held at 7 p.m. Friends may call after 9 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Services for Hank will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at St. Clement’s Catholic Church in Bankston, Iowa with Rev. Michael Schueller officiating and assisting Deacon, Dan O’Connell. Burial will be held in St. Clement’s Cemetery in Bankston, Iowa.
Hank was born August 17, 1926 in Bankston, Iowa, son of Henry V. and Geneieve (Kennedy) O’Connell. He graduated from St. Clements High School in Bankston, Iowa. On May 21, 1949 he was united in marriage to Lois Keleher at Nativity Catholic Church in Dubuque, Iowa. She preceded him in death on December 21, 2016.
He was a member of St. Clement’s Parish in Bankston, Iowa. Hank was also a member of the Farley Knights of Columbus Council #2001 and the 4th Degree Dubourgh Assembly #1573.
Hank was born and raised on his family farm and he continued the family farming tradition by taking over the Heritage farm and raising his own family on the farm. He was very proud of the Heritage farm and his Irish heritage. He loved to share his song about his Shillelagh stick to bring a smile to those he met. He could always tell a good joke to watch people laugh.
Hank was known for his neighborly ways and was called upon to help many of them. One neighbor recalls having Dad offer his barn as a place to keep his car ready to go first thing in the morning. When a crises called he was one of the best to help out.
He also embraced the latest technology. He would tell how he was one of the first to have actual turn signals on his car. He got his children involved in looking for "Sputnik" traveling across the night sky while lying in the grass on the front lawn. Later he was one of the first with a cell phone and computer, which became a challenge for his son when he was called upon to become the "IT guy".
He is survived by his four children, Sherry (Greg) McGinn of Dubuque, IA, Kim (Paul) Forsberg of Santa Clara, CA, Daniel (Ellen) O’Connell of Bankston and Jack (Peri) O’Connell of Bankston, IA; 11 grandchildren; and 14 great grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Shirley Harrold of Palmer, IA and Mary Lou Korte of Fort Dodge, IA; two brothers-in-law, Keith (Lois) Keleher of Palmer, IA and Paul Benson of Des Moines, IA.
He is also preceded in death by his parents; his wife; one daughter, Kathleen O’Connell in May 1961; two sisters, Mildred O’Connell and Rosie (Bernard) Burds; one sister-in-law, Naida Benson; two brothers-in-law, Owen Harrold and Robert Korte.
Henry J. “Hank” O’Connell memorial fund has been established in lieu of flowers.