Untitled Page

Vonnie and Jim Johnsrud (Watford City, ND)
Dec 8, 2023

I’m sorry to hear this Kay. I had a good visit with John a couple months ago. Hugs to you and your family.
Vonnie

Bob and Cindy Pfeifer (Sibley, ND)
Dec 8, 2023

Sending prayers for the O’Conner family. May God hold you in his arms and help you in the days and weeks to come ??

Curtis Johnson (Watford city , ND )
Dec 8, 2023

My sympathy goes out to your family

Wendy Comingdeer (Watford City , North Dakota)
Dec 8, 2023

So sorry for your loss. Prayers for comfort and strength.

Barbara (Olson) Curren (Alexander, ND)
Dec 8, 2023

to Mr. O’Connor’s family. Deepest sympathies. He was a wonderful gentle giant of a man. I truly enjoyed my science classes with him and he made learning fun and interesting. And one of his principles has stuck with me these past 30 years: nothing sucks, it either pushes or pulls. RIP Mr O’Connor.

Kathy Klang (Watford City, North Dakota)
Dec 8, 2023

I'm so sorry for your loss Kay and family. John was such a great teacher and always would visit when you saw him. Hugs and prayers at this difficult time.

Jeremy Olson (Arnegard, ND)
Dec 8, 2023

Mr O’Connor,
You were the best teacher we had and made us better students and people. You left your mark on generations of students.

Jeremy Olson (Arnegard, ND)
Dec 8, 2023

Mr O’Connor,
You were the best teacher we had and made us better students and people. You left your mark on generations of students.

Barbara Johnsrud (Mandan, ND)
Dec 8, 2023

"Mr." John O'Conner will be greatly missed. He was a fabulous teacher, and a great conversationalist. I am glad my family was lucky enough to live so close by in earlier years. My heart goes out to you, Kay, Matt, Paul, and Emily. You have my deepest condolences.

Pamela Johnson-Haugan (Watford City, ND)
Dec 9, 2023

The Haugans extend their heart felt Sympathy. We will miss exchanging a friendly hello when we would occasionally have paths that crossed. Thinking of you Kaye during these days.

Larry and Valerie Nygaard (Mcclusky , ND)
Dec 9, 2023

Dear Kay and family, we are so sorry to hear of John’s passing. Please know you all are in our thoughts and prayers.

John Vogel (Seattle , Washington )
Dec 9, 2023

John was a great friend in high school. He came to visit me in Washington a few years ago.

Patrick Spacher (watford city, nd)
Dec 10, 2023

Prayers for Kay and the rest of John’s family. Truly a one of a kind person. I often likened him to Dos Equis World’s Most Interesting man. Cannot express enough my gratitude to John for taking a rookie teacher and than administrator under his wing and helping me to find my way. May Mirth and Jocularity live on forever and I hope he is telling slightly ribald jokes in heaven currently. Will his you El Jefe!

Rena Nordeng Zimmermann (Dickinson , ND)
Dec 10, 2023

I, and I truly believe every student that came through WCHS during Mr. O’Connors days teaching, am so sad to hear of your loss. He was a bright spot to so many. He is one of those teachers that you always remember fondly. He always had a joke or a life lesson. He made the hardest sciences fun. He had a true passion for teenagers and teaching which was made so obvious in all the extras he did for his class and by the dedication to learning he instilled in his own children. Mr O’Connor never forgot his students, as we will never forget him. Please know that my prayers are with all of you as you remember this great man that touched so many.

Mark & Jamie Jokela (Osage , MN)
Dec 10, 2023

We have so many memories to cherish-may God wrap you in peace & comfort-much love & prayers sent to you ??????

Jeanette Anderson (watford city, ND)
Dec 10, 2023

Kay and Family,
Deepest sympathies on the loss of John. May he rest in peace. Always nice to visit with him wherever I would come across him.

bill hause (reno, nv)
Dec 10, 2023

Wild Bill

I shall miss my best friend since childhood so much. I thought every day in Life and will continue to do so. So sad for Kay, Matt, Paul, Emily and grandkids.

John Heiser (Grassy Butte, ND)
Dec 11, 2023

North Unit of T. Roosevelt National Park

John and I were National Park Rangers in the North Unit of TRNP for years and I visited with he and Kay in the park on occasion after he'd quit his job there. John was an excellent Ranger, which in essence means he was good with park visitors. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Mark & Jamie Jokela (Osage , MN)
Dec 11, 2023

We have so many memories to cherish-may God wrap you in peace & comfort-much love & prayers sent to you.

Aaron Trauger (WATFORD CITY, ND)
Dec 11, 2023

Kay, Matt, Pawl & Emily:
So very sorry to hear the world lost an amazing human being! I want to say "this sucks". However, based on knowledge I obtained directly from John himself, "nothing sucks...it either pushes or pulls." We will miss the wisdom he shared and the wonderful humor behind all of it.

Leann Erickson (Gillette , WY)
Dec 11, 2023

John was one the best teachers I have ever taught with. He always had a good word to say and a smile on his face. He was easy to visit with.

DeLores Shimek (Bismarck , ND)
Dec 11, 2023

Words help at this hard time. John was such a memorable person. He will be missed by all. God bless your family.

Rick Lyon (Watford City )
Dec 11, 2023

Mr. O’Connor was the person who first encouraged my interest in computers. We shared many good conversations over the years and had a surprising number of interests in common. I am glad I was able to tell him a few years ago that if it weren’t for him, I would not be where I am today. Thank you for being such an influence in my life, John. Rest in peace.

Larry and Tanya Andersen (Watford City)
Dec 11, 2023

So sorry Kay and O’Connor family. John was a very good man. Always fun to visit with. Students enjoyed him as a teacher.
Sending our sincere condolences

John and Rosie Ough (Watford City, ND)
Dec 12, 2023

Kay and Family,
Our prayers and thoughts are with you all during this difficult time. Our kids really enjoyed John as a teacher. He will be missed.

Shannon Faller (Arnegard, ND )
Dec 12, 2023

Kay, Matthew, Paul, and Emily, I'm so sorry to hear of Mr. O'Connor'a passing. I can't tell how much he influenced me as a teacher so much so that I did a Mr Wizard show once upon a time. His ability to hold our attention, keep learning fun and most of all believe in all students were things I took with me into the classroom. Thank you for sharing him with us. I'm forever grateful.

Margaret Renbarger
Dec 12, 2023

Kay and Family, So sorry for your loss. Hugs and prayers to you and your family.

Rena Nordeng Zimmermann (Dickinson , ND)
Dec 12, 2023

I, and I truly believe every student that came through WCHS during Mr. O’Connors days teaching, am so sad to hear of your loss. He was a bright spot to so many. He is one of those teachers that you always remember fondly. He always had a joke or a life lesson. He made the hardest sciences fun. He had a true passion for teenagers and teaching which was made so obvious in all the extras he did for his class and by the dedication to learning he instilled in his own children. Mr O’Connor never forgot his students, as we will never forget him. Please know that my prayers are with all of you as you remember this great man that touched so many.

Ray and Julie Clary (Bismarck, ND)
Dec 12, 2023

We're sorry to hear about Mr. O'Connor's passing. We absolutely loved being in his classes. He was a great teacher and a wonderful person. We extend our sincere condolences to his family, hoping they find strength and solace in the memories we all share.

Kandas Wold (Jamestown , ND)
Dec 12, 2023

John was a GREAT Man. Loved by Everyone! I am So Very Sorry for your loss. My Deepest Sympathy to All of you.

Paul and Jane Larson (Dickinson, N.D.)
Dec 12, 2023

Our condolences to you Kay and Family. We are sorry to hear this. Our thoughts and prayers.

Heather Beane (Watford City , ND)
Dec 13, 2023

To Kay, Paul, Matt, Emily,
My deepest condolences to your loss of an amazing husband and father whom had so much energy for life and teaching. John will be so missed. His most valuable lesson and quote that he gave “Nothing sucks” “It pushes or pulls”. That statement has stuck with me has remained with me all these years.

Linda Chornuk (Watford City, ND)
Dec 14, 2023

Thoughts and prayers are with you Kay and your family. John was so nice to visit with. My kids loved him as a teacher and friend.

Doreen Orf (Grassy Butte , ND)
Dec 14, 2023

What a beautiful obituary of a life well lived. I’m very blessed to have known John as a friend and fellow teacher. My kids both enjoyed their time in his classroom. He shared knowledge in a special way. May God’s grace be with all of you.

Leon & Cheryl Arnold (Esmond, North Dakota)
Dec 14, 2023

Kay, Sorry to hear of John’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Cherish the memories you hold in your heart. Sending Love and Hugs Leon & Cheryl Arnold

Lisa Iverson (Watford City, ND)
Dec 14, 2023

My deepest sympathies Kay. John’s legacy will live on in the many lives he touched. He was the teacher who found a way to reach every student even ones who struggled. A truly honorable life.

Carla Schaible (Watford City, ND)
Dec 15, 2023

Kay & family ,
So very sorry for your loss. May God comfort you

Rosie dement (Billings , Mt)
Dec 15, 2023

I have very fond memories of Mr. O'Conner as my teacher. My favorite, he will be forever missed! Definitely one of the best persons in the world. My thought are with the family.

Barbara Fixen (Alexander, ND)
Dec 16, 2023

Kaye and family so sorry to hear of John’s passing keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers. ( I worked with John in Alexander at the school).

Mike Norgard (Fergus Falls, MN)
Dec 16, 2023

He was the most influential teacher I had in HS. Very sorry for your loss

Linda Melland (Watford City, ND)
Dec 17, 2023

All our love and prayers Kay, to you and your Family. John was a wonderful man and will be missed. God’s Peace, Gary and Linda Melland

Ann Johnsrud
Dec 17, 2023

So very sorry for your great loss. John was one of a kind a a truly great teacher. Prayers to all of you.

BENJAMIN F BEACH (EVANSTON, WY)
Dec 17, 2023

My sister, WENDY just sent me a txt about JOHN. My heart goes out to the family. I graduated clinton high 1967, year ahead of JOHN. In 2006 or 2007 stopped in Watford City to see John.

Mark & Jamie Jokela (Osage , MN)
Dec 19, 2023

We have so many memories to cherish-may God wrap you in peace & comfort-much love & prayers sent to you.

Dan Drovdal (Minot, ND)
Dec 19, 2023

My condolences to the family, I hope you're able to be together during your time of loss. Mr. O'Connor was a great teacher who had me fully engaged the first time and I think every time I walked into his classroom (flames and explosions are cool). I would also come to learn as a student and former student that he cared for the kids at WCHS and wanted the best for us. Thank You Mr. O'Connor for everything you did for me and the Watford City community.

Evette Swain (Woodbridge, MI)
Dec 20, 2023

Growing up, we lived behind the O'Connor Family and with 5 kids, there was always something "fun" happening at their place, it was the place to be. I have fond memories of the family, RIP John

Tim Spicer & Sandie Murray (Tecumseh, Michigan)
Dec 20, 2023

Good friends.

Condolances to Kay and the family on the loss of John He was a dear friend and we loved visiting with him on his trips to Michigan. He was one of a kind and we will never forget him.

Mark and Valerie Entzi (Watford City , North Dakota)
Dec 21, 2023

We are saddened to hear about John, May the Lord hold all of you close.

Fulkerson - Stevenson Funeral Home