Patrick O'Reilly

Patrick O'Reilly, 74, of Canby, passed away Sunday, Nov. 10, 2013, at his residence.

Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, at Antelope Hills Christian Church in rural Canby, with the Rev. Steve Maas officiating.

Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15, at Birk Funeral Home of Canby. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the church. Inurnment will be at a later date.

Arrangements are with Birk Funeral Home of Canby. For online condolences, please visit birkfuneralhome.com.

Pat was born Nov. 17, 1938, in Red Wing, to Edwin and Gladys (Bailey) O'Reilly. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Columbkill's Catholic Church in Belle Creek, and graduated from Goodhue High School in 1956. His higher education was put on hold when he was drafted into the Army where he proudly served his country stationed in Germany during the Berlin Crisis. In 1965, he married Mary Anne Peterson and they had three children, Jon, Kim and Pat "PJ." He graduated from Winona State College with a degree in industrial arts education. Pat taught industrial arts and auto mechanics in Winona, Lake Crystal, Madison and Canby. 

The family moved to a farm northeast of Canby in 1973. They raised and showed purebred Charolais cattle and Suffolk sheep. The whole family worked together producing the foundation genetics for Serendipity Charolais which produced the only two-time national champion female and the bloodlines that led to the most registered Charolais sire in the world. Pat then concentrated efforts on producing thoroughbred and quarter horse race horses.

Pat had a lifelong love of auto racing which ranged from stock, modified, sprint, to Indianapolis race cars. He held several sprint car track records that were only very recently broken. He was an Indy car owner for four years and even raced in Argentina, South America. Pat organized Southwest Minny Racing Association that operated Sunday night races at the Canby fairgrounds.

Pat was a patriot and a promoter. He was involved with the farm movement that put tractors in Washington calling attention to farm pricing in the 1970s. He was instrumental in promoting ethanol research and development that led to the first ethanol plant in the state of Minnesota. He built and became a senior vice president of a successful insurance and securities business. Pat was an active member of the DFL party and ran for state and federal congressional office where he was known as Pat "Family Farmer" O'Reilly. He was an active member of the VFW, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion, Gideon's and Antelope Hill's Christian Church.

He enjoyed time with his family and coffee with friends at the local bakery. Pat was passionate about bible prophesy. Grandkids described him as never having met a stranger, master storyteller, goofy, competitive, could fix anything, give and go basketball, and "Grandpa loves you."

He is survived by Mary Anne, his loving wife of 48 years; his three children, Jon (Carrie) O'Reilly of Oronoco, Kim (Thad) Hahn of Prior Lake and Pat (Gretchen) O'Reilly of Wayne, Neb.; his 10 grandchildren, Cody, Jacqueline, Courtney, Julianne, Carter O'Reilly and Jordan, Hayley Hahn and Brennen, Erin, Hope O'Reilly; brothers, Robert, Michael (Carol) and Geary (Pam) O'Reilly; sisters, Barbara O'Reilly and Zerita (David) Shelby; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his parents Edwin and Gladys O'Reilly, and infant brother James O'Reilly.

Blessed be his memory.