Thomas Connell

Thomas Charles Connell, 96, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Sunday, July 22, 2012 at the Broen Home in Fergus Falls. He was born October 16, 1915, near Campbell, Minnesota, the son of Thomas Francis and Christine (Andersen) Connell. He grew up there, attending country school, and then two years of high school. He served in the U.S. Army for a brief time during World War II. On December 8, 1934, he married Belvia Tjaden in Fergus Falls. The couple made their home in Fergus Falls where they raised their family. Thomas was employed by Otter Tail Power Company, working for 35 years at the Hoot Lake Power Plant, retiring from the Dispatch Department in 1978. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls. Tom enjoyed time spent outdoors hunting and fishing. He was a woodworker, making fish and duck decoys. He was also skilled at working with guns, making custom gun stocks. Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife, Belvia; a sister, Marion Tenney; two brothers, Arthur and James Connell; a grandson, Jose Ricardo Aldana; and a granddaughter, Jennifer Rovang. Survivors include his children: Kathleen (Charles) Rovang of Dalton, MN, Stanley (Martha) Connell of Bloomington, MN, Gary (Kristin) Connell of Bayfield, WI, and Linda (Eugene) Field of Fergus Falls; grandchildren: Paul (Candy) Rovang, Diane (Rovang) Thurman, Daniel (Carrie) Rovang, Jane (Thomas) Doane, Joel Rovang, Julie (Jay) Theisen, Leslie (Connell) Laack, Carlos (Tatiana) Connell, Fabio Mauricio Aldana, Michael Connell, Thomas (Lia) Connell, Megan (Brad) Ostrosky, Ryan Connell, Tracy (Phillip) Erb, Brian Field, and Ruth (Jon) Thurston; great-grandchildren: Angelle (Christian) Sundberg, Benjamin Rovang, Deirdre, Vivian and Ariel Doane, Cara (Tom) Sagerhorn, Justin (Laura) Rovang, Kaitlin, Kristi and Elisa Aldana, Alejandra, Victoria and Diego Theisen, Preston Laack, Catalina and Santiago Connell, DeVon, Nathan and Brandon Ostrosky, Christine (Douglas) Krasley, Michael (Jessica) Erb, and James and Corina Connell; great-great-grandchildren: Isaac and Eliza Sundberg, Gabriella Sagerhorn, Emily Rovang, Gilead, Aubrielle, Eli and Dawson Krasley, and Lucy, James and Silas Erb; and a brother, Patrick (Jean) Connell of Moorhead, MN. Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home with a 6:30 p.m. prayer service, and resumes one hour prior to the service at the church. Service: 1:30 p.m. Saturday, July 28, 2012, at Zion Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls Clergy: Reverend Stan Satre Interment: Oak Grove Cemetery in Fergus Falls Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls is in charge of the arrangements.