John Varley

John Joseph Varley, age 74 of Faribault, MN died Wednesday, January 4, 2012 at Reflections Hospice Unit at Three Links Care Center in Northfield, MN after suffering from cancer.             John was born on August 27, 1937, in Wells Township to Denis and Mary (Heffernan) Varley, a pioneer Rice County family. He grew up on the family farm and graduated from Bethlehem Academy in 1955 and became a member of the Minnesota National Guard. He married Mary Ann Fisher on September 17, 1960 at Sacred Heart Church, Owatonna, MN. After they married, John and Mary operated a dairy and hog farm for 35 years in Cannon City Township. He retired from farming in 1985 and was employed at Consolidated Catholic School and Immaculate Conception Church and later as a project manager for Varley Construction of Faribault, retiring in 1999. John was a member of the Farmer's Union, the Rice County Pork Producers Association and a life member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 889, Faribault, MN. He also served many years as a board member of the Cannon City Township Board, the Township Rural Fire Association, the Community Cooperative Board and as a board member of the Consolidated Catholic Schools in Faribault. John had a lifelong interest in music and for years he was a member of several bands to include the Brother Burr Old Time Band. He was very active in singing groups including the Lakeland Barbershop Chorus, the Troubadours, a senior men's chorus in Northfield and also a member of church choirs for many years. Additionally, John was well known for his solo performances at various area churches. During retirement, John and Mary enjoyed traveling to Mexico, Dominican Republic and enjoyed Caribbean, Mediterranean and Baltic Sea cruises. John and Mary spent several months of the last 5 winters in Destin, FL.             John is survived by Mary Ann, his wife of 51 years; children, Eva Marie Varley-Adamson of St. Peter, Patty (Al) Twaites and Denis Varley, both of Faribault; as well as his grandchildren, Alex and Noah Adamson and Victoria and Matthew Twaites; brothers, Dr. James (Perha) Varley of Tallahasse, FL, Thomas (Joan) Varley of Northfield, Joseph (Denise) Varley of Faribault, and Leo (Molly) Varley of St. Paul; and by many other relatives and friends.             He was preceded in death by his parents; infant sister, Mary Catherine Varley; and infant granddaughter, Elizabeth Marie Twaites. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at Divine Mercy Catholic Church, 139 Mercy Dr., Faribault. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery in Faribault.             Visitation will be held at Parker Kohl Funeral Home & Crematory in Faribault on Monday from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. and on Tuesday for one hour prior to the services at the church.             In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Denis and Mary Varley Memorial Fund at Bethlehem Academy or Faribault Area Hospice.