John Daniel Connolly

John D. Connolly, 63, Danvers, MN, died Monday, January 6, 2020, in CentraCare St. Cloud Hospital. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Monday, January 13, 2020 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Benson. Visitation will continue from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, followed be the Funeral Service at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, January 14, 2020, at the church. Interment will be in Church of the Visitation Catholic Church Cemetery in Danvers, MN at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Danvers Fire Department Building Fund. Please mail to: Zniewski Funeral Home, P.O. Box 76, Benson, MN  56215.

John Daniel Connolly was born October 12 ^th , 1956 in Benson, Minnesota, son of Thomas Charles and Ann Frances (DeMarce) Connolly.  He was baptized as an infant at Church of the Visitation in Danvers, MN.  He grew up in Danvers and graduated from Benson High School in 1974.  Ann passed away in March of 1970.  On September 27, 1974, Tom married Yvonne Raw.  Even though John went off to college and never lived in the new blended family home, he always thought of Vonnie as his mom.  John attended the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis and graduated with a degree in Ag Business Administration.

On September 6, 1980, John was united in marriage to Debra Cheryl Lindblad.  They made their home in Danvers where they were blessed with 39 years of marriage and 3 children.  John joined the State Bank of Danvers in 1980 after 2 years of experience at the First State Bank of Lakefield.  In 1999, the bank opened a new facility in Benson and 2002 marked a full century of continuous financial service to the community by four generations of the Connolly family.  John became the CEO in May 2009 and enjoyed working at the bank with his employees, customers, and helping others with financial advice and support. John was a banker at State Bank of Danvers for 40 years, 29 of them alongside his father Tom.  Outside of the bank he was part of the Danvers Fire Department, the Danvers Firefighters Relief Association, a member of the Danvers City Council, chairman of the Danvers Planning Commission, and enjoyed working in his community.  John was proud to be a fireman for 39 years with the Danvers Fire Department and recently retired on December 31, 2019.

John was a craftsman and project guy.  Always ready to learn a new trade or technique.  Always ready to figure it out with the help of his family; teaching his children that they could do anything they put their mind to.  Even if you made a mistake, you’ve learned something.

Among the many things John enjoyed was being in his shop crafting wood projects and blacksmithing, sharing his projects with others, working in his community, being a fireman, reading and expanding his library, crossword puzzles, his yard, cooking (especially with a glass of wine and his sous-chef Deb), eating good food (especially gravy), and spending time with his much-loved family and friends.

John was called from his life suddenly on January 6, 2020.  Despite heroic efforts, it was not in God’s plan for John to stay with us.  He attained the age of 63 years, 2 months and 25 days.

John is survived by his wife, Deb Connolly of Danvers; children: Patrick Connolly (significant other Crystal Ellison) of Burnsville, Tara (Josh) Sternfels of Cottage Grove, Krysta Connolly (significant other Stephen Andrews) of Lakewood, CO; parent: Vonnie Connolly of Lakeville; siblings: Vince (Joyce) Connolly of Johns Creek, GA, Joe (Pam) Connolly of Lake Elmo, Ellen (Jeff) Eckhoff of Northfield, Dan (Marcia) Connolly of Benson, Chauntel (Brad) Rode of Benson, Kim (Jim Schoepski) Knutson of Rockford, IL, and Cari (Peter) White of Manteno, IL; and 14 nieces and nephews: (Vince) Tom, Katie, Meagan, (Joe) Jina, Joni, Chris, (Ellen) Annie, Emily, Joey, (Dan) Danielle, Karen, Matt, (Chauntel) Courtney and Ashley.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, and parents, Tom and Ann.  Blessed be the memory of John Daniel Connolly.

“May the wind under your wings bear you where the sun sails and the moon walks.” J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit