Jack O'Neil

Jack O'Neil John (Jack) Leland O'Neil, 84, passed away on Tuesday, April 12th, 2011, after a brief illness. Jack was born December 21, 1926 to John and Julia (Thoe) on the O'Neil family farm near Fordville, North Dakota. He attended school in Fordville, North Dakota. On April 4, 1947 he married Lona Sampel. Jack and Lona lived in several locations, including Grand Forks, East Grand Forks, Mayville and Bad Medicine Lake, Minnesota. Jack was a lineman for Northern States Power Company (Excel). He retired in May of 1986 after 31 years of loyal service to NSP in Mayville and Grand Forks. Jack and Lona moved from Mayville to Bad Medicine Lake in May of 1986. They spent 15 wonderful years in the Minnesota lake country. Jack enjoyed fishing, hunting, golfing, gardening, walks in the woods and spending time with Lona and family and their many friends. During the winter months, they often traveled to spots in Texas and Arizona. Lona passed away on January 3rd, 2001 after a short battle with lymphoma cancer. Jack relocated to Briarwood in Grand Forks and made a whole new circle of friends. The O'Neil family is very grateful for his "Briarwood family" and all of the kindness and fellowship they showed Jack. Jack is survived by his 3 children, Dennis, (Dawn) of Rogers City, MI, Gale (Dave) Olson of Minneapolis, MN., and Alan (Mary Jane) of Jamestown/Grand Forks, ND, 8 grandchildren, Kelani, Katrina (John), Kevin (Betsy), Kelly, Blair, Joel, Leigh Ann (Matt) and Jackie; three great grandchildren, Merick, Bridget and Molly, three brothers, Martin, (Karen), Fordville, ND, Robert (Jo Rae) Maple Grove, MN, Thomas, Mansfield, PA, two sisters, Joan (Emory) Solie of Park Rapids, MN and Patricia (Roger) Robertson of Lincoln City, OR. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wonderful stepmother, Stella, a sister and brother-in-law Louise and Palmer Haugen, Michigan, ND, a brother and sister-in-law, James and Evy O'Neil of Butte, MT. To the wide circle of people that knew Jack as a friend, the family is eternally grateful. A visitation followed by a prayer service will be held on Sunday, April 17th from 5 - 7 pm, at Amundson Funeral Home, 2975 S. 42nd St., Grand Forks, North Dakota. Funeral Services will be held on Monday, April 18th at 11 am at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, 1515 5th Ave NW, East Grand Forks, Minnesota. Interment will be in Forest River, North Dakota