Obituary of Francis Joseph O'Connor

Francis “Frank” J. O’Connor, 84, of Dyersville, Iowa died Monday, July 14, 2014, at Ennoble Manor in Dubuque, Iowa. Friends may call from 3:00 - 8:00 p.m. Friday, July 18, 2014, at Kramer Funeral Home, 750 12th Ave SW in Dyersville where a Vigil Service will be held at 4:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 19, 2014, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica in Dyersville with burial in the church cemetery. Rev. Dennis Quint will officiate. Frank was born August 28, 1929 in Elkport, Iowa, the son of Verni and Elva (Hansel) O’Connor. He married Darlene Meyer on June 21, 1949, in New Vienna, Iowa. Frank worked at John Deere Dubuque Works for 40 years, and after retirement he helped prepare taxes at H&R Block for 10 years. He was an avid bowler and golfer who offered a lot to his sports, having been a Men’s Bowling League Secretary for 20 years and was inducted into the Dyersville Men’s Bowling Association Hall of Fame in 1995, and he was the Tuesday Night Golf League organizer at the Dyersville Golf and Country Club for over 40 years. Frank was a skilled handyman who enjoyed doing projects around his home. He was a beloved husband, father and father figure to his brothers, nieces, nephews and grandchildren. Survivors include his wife, Darlene; 3 children: Judy (Bill) Engler of Dyersville, Tom (Yong) O’Connor of Katy, TX, and Kris (Clint) Toennies of O’Fallon, IL; 5 grandchildren: Tim (Lindsay) O’Connor of Seattle, WA, Jennifer Engler of Waterloo, IA, Lisa Engler of Oakland, CA, Samantha and Grace Toennies of O’Fallon, IL; one brother, Bernard O’Connor of Mundelein, IL; a sister-in-law, Nancy O’Connor of Ankeny, IA, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father in 1947, mother in 1980, brother, Dr. Lowell O’Connor in 1975, and brother, Louis O’Connor in 2003, and a sister-in-law, Jean O’Connor in 2010. We would like to offer thanks to the staffs of Bi-County Ambulance, the Finley Hospital, Ennoble Manor and Hospice of Dubuque for the fine care and compassion you have provided to all of us. Memorials are preferred to St. Francis Xavier Basilica, Beckman Catholic High School or the American Stroke Foundation.