Donald O'Neil

Donald R. O'Neil, age 89 of Faribault, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, February 14, 2018 at the Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, February 26, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church, 139 Mercy Drive, in Faribault. Interment will be held at the Calvary Cemetery, Faribault.

Memorial visitation will be held at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church on Monday morning from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers the family prefers that memorials be directed to Bethlehem Academy High School in memory of Don.

Arrangements are being completed by the Parker Kohl Funeral Home & Crematory of Faribault, MN.

Donald was born in 1928 to Henry and Bertha (Pirkl) O'Neil in Faribault, MN. He attended Faribault High School and graduated with the class of 1944. Donald married Rilla Shields in 1949 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Faribault and they had three children. She preceded him in death on September 26, 2017. Donald was a dairy farmer in Warsaw Township. In 1961 he was awarded the Outstanding Young Farmer award from the Faribault Jaycees. They sold the farm in 1985 and he began working at Rice County Mutual Insurance through 2016, where he also served as secretary then treasurer on the Board of Directors.

Over the years Don served on the Board of Directors and as President of several organizations including: Immaculate Conception School Parents Association, Immaculate Conception Church Parish Council, Faribault Country Club, and Minnesota Association of Farm Mutual Insurance Companies, which presented him with a prestigious national merit award in 1996. He also served on the Boards of the Knights of Columbus Council 889, St. Lucas Nursing Home, Farmers Home Administration and the Federal ASCS. Don was also a member of the Faribault Rotary Club and the Exchange Club. He and his wife were antique collectors and enjoyed golfing.

Donald is survived by daughter, Karen (John) Dragsten of Omaha, NE; sons, Michael (Kathy) O'Neil of New Brighton and Patrick (Wendy) O'Neil of Faribault, MN; by three grandchildren, Erick (Julie) Dragsten, Kelly (Joel) Refsnider and Timothy (Tanya) O'Neil; by five great grandchildren, Jacy and Cameron Dragsten, Jackson and Logan Refsnider and Nelson O'Neil and by nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife Rilla, his parents and siblings, Marcella Dietz and Bernadine O'Neil.