Donald Connors

Donald J. "Don"Connors, age 81 of Plymouth, formerly of Eveleth, died Monday, November 22, 2010 from scleroderma disease at the Golden Living Center in Hopkins, Minnesota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Saturday, November 27, 2010 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Grey Eagle with Rev. Mark Willenbring officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery with military honors by the Melrose Veterans Honor Guard.

Friends may call from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday and from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the church in Grey Eagle. Parish prayers will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday evening at the church.

Donald James Connors was born September 13, 1929 to Matt and Leah (Lusscer) Connors. He served his country in the U.S. Navy attached to the First Medical Battalion, First Marine Division during the Korean Conflict. After his honorable discharge from the Navy, he taught school in Swanville. He was united in marriage to Barbara Agnes Muellner on June 18, 1958 in Burtrum. Don taught in Bertha and also in the Osseo school district. He received his B.S. and M.S. degrees at St. Cloud State University. Using his skills he developed in the Navy, Don moonlighted in trauma surgery at the hospital in Minneapolis.

He was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Grey Eagle, the Parish Community of St. Joseph's in New Hope, and the Wayzata American Legion.

Survivors include his wife, Barbara Connors of Plymouth; children, Timothy (Cheryl) Connors of Rogers, Tom (Becky) Connors of Champlin, and Lea Ann (Rick) Barron of St. Paul; grandchildren, Cody, Shawn, Kirsten Connors (Oster), Matt, Ryan, Grace, and Sam; and sister, Marcella Homola of Eveleth.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; mother and father-in-law, Alfred and Oswalda Muellner; adopted sister, Doris Kauchick; five brothers-in-law, Bernie, Herb, and Ray Muellner, Tony Kauchick, and Bill Homola; and his dog, Watson.

Serving as casket bearers will be Tom Lautigar, Jeff Homola, Joe Muellner, Jim Muellner, Cody Connors, and Matt Connors. Cross bearer will be Ryan Connors and scripture bearer will be Shawn Connors. Rose bearer will be Grace Barron and honorary bearers will be Ellwood Hoiseth, Allen Cornell, Vern Lewis, Loren Weick, Greg Wessel, and Jeff Gessell.