Joseph Thadeus O'Fallon

1935 - 2024

Joseph Thadeus O'Fallon, 88, of Hopkins, MN passed away peacefully on February 12, 2024 surrounded by family and his special friend Mae, at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, MN.

Joe was born on March 7, 1935 in Princeton, MN. He was the son of Bernard and Margaret (Delaney) O'Fallon. When Joe was still a newborn, his parents moved back to Hutchinson, MN to the O'Fallon family farm where Bernard grew up. When Joe was 8 months old, his father Bernard died in a house fire at that farm. When Joe was 2 years old, his mother re-married Cecil Fallon of Hutchinson, MN. Joe grew up on an apple orchard. Together Cecil and Margaret built a large apple orchard in Darwin, MN on 22 acres with 2,000 apple trees.

Joe received his education at the Darwin country school and graduated from Dassel, MN high school in 1953. He then enlisted in the Marines during the Korean war, serving active duty from July 1, 1953 to July 2, 1956.

On November 30, 1957, Joe was united in marriage to Ardell Condon. This union would be blessed with five children. They made their homes in Hutchinson, Mound and Waconia.

After the service, Joe worked for 3M and went to barber school. Joe owned his own barber shop and barbered until 1971. He then went to Hennepin Technical College for photography. While attending school, he worked full-time as a custodian. Upon graduation, he decided to stay at HTC. He moved to Hopkins, MN. He said he "found his niche" and stayed 30 years before retiring at 68.

Joe was a baptized, confirmed, life-long member of the Catholic Faith. In later years, he said the Rosary every day praying for family and friends. If you were in need, your name piggybacked on someone's prayer day. Joe loved to read. He enjoyed music and movies. He was a "foodie." On Saturday he liked to hit the 5 o'clock Mass and then dinner. He was known for telling jokes and often times after he had you in stitches, when you were done laughing, you couldn't remember how to re-tell it. Joe treasured the time he spent with his family and friends,

Joe is survived by his daughters Teresa O'Fallon, Kathy (Brad) Oelfke; son Joe O'Fallon; grandchildren Eric (Zach) Nugent and Krysta Oelfke; and special friend Mae Morris.

Joe is preceded in death by his parents Bernard O'Fallon, Cecil and Margaret Fallon; Ardell O'Fallon; son Gerard O'Fallon; daughter Roz O'Fallon; and grandson Michael Oelfke.

Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2024. Visitation starting one hour prior to the service at 10:00 AM. Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM. Both held at Pax Christi Catholic Community, 12100 Pioneer Trail, Eden Prairie, MN 55347. Internment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery at a future date.