Roger "Mike" Connelly

R. M. Connelly (Mike) passed to peace and glory at 11:15 PM on October 3, 2019 at the Rosewood Memory Care in Montevideo, MN with family present.

Mike was born to Dot (Burns) and Billy Connelly on July 4, 1945. (Our very own firecracker). Mike went to school and graduated from Graceville High School.   He married his high school sweetheart, Kathy (Curran) Connelly at St. Barnabus Catholic Church in Barry, MN on February 3, 1963. Son, Mick was born in Graceville and youngest Tim was born in Fort Collins, Colorado.  Mike earned his college degree at Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado.  The family enjoyed many excursions into the awesome Rocky Mountains, especially since being born “children of the dusty plains”.

Mike taught school in Morgan, MN for one year and in Fairmont, MN for 3 years.  While in Fairmont he started the wrestling program there.  He was a championship racquetball player and also enjoyed family canoeing.  Mike became a crop hail adjuster and then a Field Representative and Manager of Mid-State Mutual for 7 years.  His career in insurance was cut short by a heart attack on Dec. 26, 1986.

At the moment of his heart attack Mike began his second life!  After a move back to “the old home place” he and Kathy were welcomed back by family and the Graceville Community.   There was a lot to be done to establish memory and he was able to deliver meals to the elderly.  It was an immensely peaceful and rewarding time.  They left the area in 1997 and moved back to S.E. Minnesota and spent the time renewing memories of his old friends.  Mike arose courageously to  the challenge of memory restoration.  He and Kathy made lemonade whenever possible for whatever worked for them, as not everything did.  He carried it off beautifully and gave immense love to his family and received immense love in return.

Mike is survived by his wife of 56 years, Kathy, after living their life of love since age 15; sons: Mick of Montevideo, Tim (Brenda Ofstie) Connelly of Welch, MN; two grandchildren: Jen Harker and Chris Connelly of Montevideo; 2 great-grandchildren; and  nieces, nephews.

May he rest in peace and joy.  The family is filled with gratitude to the amazing staff of Rosewood Memory Care and Rice Memorial Hospice.  Also gratitude and thank you to Father Paul Timmerman and parishioners for the anointing and sacraments as well as the many visits.

The family will announce a burial service at a later date.