John O'Hara
John Roger O’Hara, 84, passed away at his home in Decorah Sunday, October 29, 2017. Mass of Christian Burial was held Thursday, November 2 at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church in Decorah with Rev. Phillip Gibbs officiating. Interment was at St. Benedict’s Cemetery, Decorah.
John was born September 23, 1933, the son of Joseph and Catherine (Ryan) O’Hara, in rural Allamakee County. He graduated from St Patrick’s Catholic School in Waukon in 1952. John married Kathleen Ryan 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.
August 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, WI, Patsy (Mark Hageman) O’Hara of Decorah, Roger (Katrina McCabe) O’Hara of Decorah and Keri (Tim) Sand of Mabel, MN; his stepchildren: Chuck Larson of Waukon, Steve (Jean) Larson of Livermore, Deanne (John) Stogdell of Mt Pleasant and Thomas (Karen) Larson of Richfield, MN; 25 grandchildren: Ryan (Brianne) Sparrgrove, Amanda, Joshua and Travis Sparrgrove, Mikayla Kinnison, Colten ( Meghan Kerrigan) Kinnison, Jesse (Alyssa) Halweg, Jenna (Scott Cole) Halweg, Montana and Cavin Bohr, Zach and Desiree Benda, Addyson, Isabella and 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, and Rachel and Sarah Larson; 22 great-grandchildren: Dillion, Blake and Chloe Sparrgrove, Taylor Sparrgrove-Nelson, Brekin and Brinley Halweg, Grayson Benda, Mike Woodruff, Lexie Hobson, Brianne Rice, Cameron Emerson, Jacob and Connor Larson, Dane, Camden and Hazel Clark, Eddie, Charlotte, Logan and Kendra Larson, and Gabrielle and Hendrix Stodgell; and numerous generations of nephews, nieces and friends.
Casketbearers were Ryan Sparrgrove, Jesse Halweg, Joshua Sparrgrove, Colten Kinnison, Travis Sparrgrove, Zach Benda, Montana Bohr and Cavin Bohr. Schluter-Balik Funeral Home of Decorah assisted the family.
