Gregory Gillen

Gregory J. Gillen, age 92, of Faribault, died Sunday, December 21, 2008 at the Oakwood Hills Adult Foster Care in Faribault.    Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, December 27, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church, at Sacred Heart in Faribault. Interment will be held at St. Lawrence Cemetery, Faribault.    Visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home in Faribault on Friday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. and at the church on Saturday for one hour prior to services.    Gregory Jacob Gillen, the son of Sebastian and Cecilia (Wagner) Gillen, was born on July 3, 1916 in Bridgewater Township, Rice County, MN. On September 12, 1939 he was united in marriage to Varian Wadekamper at the St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Faribault. Mrs. Gillen preceded him in death on October 27, 2004. Greg was a lifelong farmer in Bridgewater Township and other areas of Rice County. He was an active member of the NFO and was one of the founding members of the Minuteman Club at Bethlehem Academy. Greg was also a member of the Faribault Aerie 1460 Fraternal Order of Eagles. He was supportive of his church and belonged to the Catholic Aid Association and the St. Lawrence Society. Greg loved his wife and his children very much. He enjoyed spending time with all of his family. He was a very competitive card player with family and friends.    He is survived by 12 children, Jake (Ruth) Gillen of Faribault, Louise (Dick) Welch of West Concord, MN, Peter (Donna) Gillen of St. Paul, MN, Steve (Jan) Gillen of Faribault, Cecilia (Bob) Sorenson of Racine, WI, George (Deb) Gillen of Kenyon, MN, Mary Johnson of Hatton, ND, Laura (Chuck) Hansen of Waterville, MN, Greg (Lynne) Gillen of Faribault, Paul (Lavern) Gillen of Faribault, Chuck (Deb) Gillen of Dundas and Martin Gillen of Dundas; by 43 grandchildren and 44 great grandchildren; by six siblings, John Gillen of Faribault, Rita Franke of Bloomington, MN, Louella Heim of Medford, MN, Joe (Lorraine) Gillen of New Richmond, WI, Adrian (Jeanne) Gillen of Faribault and Joanne (Jim) Cortese of Butte, Montana and many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.    He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, his son Lawrence Gillen, one sister Ann Thissen and two brothers, Ambrose and Edward Gillen.