Mickie O’Connor, age 74 of Shakopee, passed away surrounded by her family on Friday, August 18, 2017. A funeral will be held on Thursday, August 24 at 11AM with a visitation two hours prior, all at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, 833 Marschall Road, Shakopee. Mickie will be laid to rest at Spirit Hill Cemetery. Pastor Diana Hunstad will preside.
On October 1, 1942 in Minneapolis, the parents of Marguerite Ann O’Connor celebrated the birth of their daughter. Mickie was one of nine children to be raised in Minneapolis. As a middle child, Mickie often helped care for her younger siblings, especially after her mom passed away. While this was a difficult time in her life, it taught Mickie to be independent and strong.
In her younger years, Mickie loved to go to sock hops, watch movies at the drive-ins, dance to Elvis, and roller skate. She even rocked the signature beehive hair of the 60’s. Around this time, Mickie began working in the Minneapolis school system as a teaching assistant. When continued working as a teaching assistant until she moved to Jordan, Minnesota.
Mickie’s life was enriched when she met Thomas O’Connor at a get together with friends. His biker looks and bad boy attitude immediately caught her attention. The two dated for a while before deciding to marry and settle down.
Nothing meant more to Mickie than her family—she especially loved being a mom! As a family, they would take their pull-behind, pop-up camper and go on road trips. They traveled throughout the United States. Mickie’s life was changed dramatically by the death of her daughter, Jeannie, and sons, Michael and Joshua. While this lose affected her for the rest of her life, she persevered with the strength of her family.
Mickie was more than excited when she later became a grandmother and great-grandmother. She was proud to be a babysitter for her 15 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. She loved taking them shopping—to Kohls, thrift stores, antique stores, and garage sales.
In the summers, they had countless picnics. In the winter, Mickie would pile the grandchildren in the car and drive them around to look at Christmas lights. Even though she was fond of classic country and rock, Mickie’s grandchildren encouraged her to listen to newer music. This resulted in Mickie knowing the lyrics to 50 Cent’s “In da Club.”
Mickie was an incredibly thoughtful person—she remembered everyone’s birthdays and gave the best gifts. She was fierce, but loving. She was strong-willed, but cared with every ounce of her being. She was blunt, but understanding.
Her legacy and memory will live on in her children, Patrick (Michelle White) O’Connor, Julie Schmitz, Jamie O’Connor; grandchildren, Jesse O’Connor, Chevis (Lizz Brewer) Miller, Shaina (Dusty) Hohenstein, Ashley Meyer, Andrew O’Connor, Shira (Alex Bruce) O’Connor, Johnny Lee O’Connor, Haley Schmitz, Jacob Schmitz, Heather Meyer, Mike Jr., Shiann; great-grandchildren, August, Mylo, Travis, Adam, Seth, Tavion, Tarynn, Dreavyn, Kahaley, Fayth, Jayden, Carter, Deegan, Zoey, Oliver; sisters, Cathy, Darlene, Diane, Shirley, Debbie, and brother, Jerry.
Mickie is preceded in death by her husband, Thomas O’Connor; children, Jeannie O’Connor, Michael O’Connor, Joshua O’Connor; parents, and sisters, Sandy and Judy.
The O’Connor family is proudly served by the staff of Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home & Cremation.
