Emmett "Ally" O'Connor, 84, of Aberdeen, SD, died Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at ManorCare in Aberdeen.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, September 24, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Redfield.
Father Christopher Hughes will celebrate the mass.
Burial will be in St. Bernard's Cemetery.

Visitation will be Friday from 1-7:00 p.m. with prayer service at 5:00 p.m. at Thelen Funeral Home in Redfield www.thelenfuneralhome.com

Ally was born July 27, 1927 in Athol, SD to Emmett and Mayme (Humphrey) O'Connor. He graduated from Athol High School in 1945. Ally married Eunice Grohs on September 28, 1948 in Athol. They lived in Athol and Redfield, while Ally worked at Spink County Highway Department, Northwestern Bell Telephone, Terry's Bar, Fisher Grove County Club, Independent Oil Gas Station and American Legion Club.

He was a member of Pioneers of America and enjoyed woodworking, growing roses and gardening, hunting, Minnesota Twins, Minnesota Vikings and watching NASCAR.

He is survived by his wife Eunice of Aberdeen; his daughters: Susan Gerlach of Westport, SD; and Janet (Clarence) Parks of Roundup, MT; his son Pat (Mary) O'Connor of Monmouth, OR; and his daughter-in-law Kathy O'Connor of Belle Fourche, SD. He is also survived by nine grandchildren: Alvin (Michelle) Gerlach, Amy (Troy) Engelhart, Sarah (Grant) Aase, Tim O'Connor, Jeremy O'Connor, Matthew (Erin) O'Connor, Todd Wagner, Cody Wagner and Sam (Heather) Wagner, eleven great grandchildren and his sister Alicia VanHouten of Redfield.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Mike, his brother Cletus, his sister Agnes Ames and his son-in-law Larry Gerlach.