Robert M Connors

Robert M. Connors February 9, 1924 - March 28, 2013

Robert M. Connors, age 89 of Waseca, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 28, 2013 at Colony Court Memory Care of Waseca.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, April 2nd at 1:30 P.M. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waseca with Fr. Martin Schaefer, Celebrant. Interment with military honors will follow in Waseca''s Calvary Cemetery.

Visitation will be held Monday from 4 to 8 P.M. at McRaith Funeral Home & Crematory in Waseca, and will continue on Tuesday afternoon for one hour prior to services, at church. In lieu of flowers memorials preferred to the Waseca Lakes Association, or the Sacred Heart Educational Endowment Fund.

Robert Martin was born February 9, 1924 in Waseca, Minnesota to Leo and Vivian (Fogarty) Connors. He attended Sacred Heart Parochial School in Waseca. Bob served in the Civilian Conservation Corp until entering military service in the United States Navy in December of 1941. He served in the Asiatic Pacific and European Theatres during WWII. Bob returned from his overseas duty, and on January 2, 1946 was united in marriage to Donna Jean Haycraft at Sacred Heart Church in Waseca. Following his honorable discharge in February of 1947 he and Donna lived a short time in Astoria, Oregon before returning home to Waseca. Bob established Connors Plumbing & Heating in 1949. They resided in Waterville for several years before returning to Waseca. He was a lifelong, active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waseca. He was also a life member of the Waseca American Legion Post #228, and the Waseca V.F.W. Sweet-Sommers Post #1642, and the Irish American Club of Southern Minnesota, which he helped establish. He was a faithful volunteer for his church and his community. Bob was very proud of earning his pilot''s license in his early 40s, and his involvement in the Waseca Civil Air Patrol. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, and was a great cook! Bob and Donna enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and abroad, and their membership in the Allegro Bay Camping Club. At the center of Bob''s life was the love he had for his family.

He is survived by his children, Craig (Lynn) Connors of rural Waseca, Cheryl (Jerry) Ellingsworth of Elysian, Rick (Shelley) Connors of Cleveland, Colleen Howard of Waseca, Mary Connors of Waseca, Beth (John) Joki of Andover, Thomas (Eileen) Connors of Wyoming, and Peggy (Scott) Hildebrandt of Waseca; daughter-in-law, Sheleen Connors of Waseca 13 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren; brothers, Roger James of Grand Rapids, Tom (Donna) James of New Prague, and Don (Mary) James of Lakeland; sister, Barbara James of Bovey; sister-in-law, Lois Connors of Jackson; many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Donna on 1/28/2008; son, Mike on 12/10/2011; two daughters at infancy, Roberta and Michelle; infant granddaughter, Danielle Connors; brothers, Joseph (Lucy) Connors, and William Connors; sister, Sr. Joan Connors.

Casketbearers are Bob''s grandsons; Eric Wood, Nicholas Joki, David Connors, Bradley Connors, Cory Connors, Brian Ellingsworth, Steven Ellingsworth, Mark Ellingsworth, and Jack Connors.