John McSweeney

John McSweeney moved on from this life on Sunday, November 4, 2018 after a struggle with leukemia. His family was around him through his final days to send him off to heaven with love.  Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. on Friday, November 9 at Our Lady of the Prairie Catholic Church in Belle Plaine.  Fr. Roger Hessian will officiate the Mass.  Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. on Thursday, November 8 at the Kolden Funeral Home in Belle Plaine and will continue one hour prior to Mass at church on Friday.  Interment will be in St. Thomas Catholic Cemetery in Jessenland Township.

John was born in 1937 on the family farm in Jessenland Township near Henderson, MN to Nellie and Frank McSweeney.  He attended St. John’s Prep for High School, then had a brief stint in the army.  He married Marilyn Gehlen from Henderson in 1958. They had 5 children.

John started his career in animal feed sales working for Marilyn’s father at the Henderson Feed Mill.  He was fortunate to move into sales with Ralston Purina where he exceled for 23 years.  Later in his career he started his own feed formulation company, selling primarily to Huderite colonies.  This venture was successful and very enjoyable for him.

In 1970 their son, Shawn died of Leukemia at 8 years old.  That same year, the family moved to St. Cloud with Purina.  Marilyn and John had a full life, with the kids, hockey, bridge, golf, travel and the company of many friends.

Marilyn died in 2002, far too young at 62.  John was fortunate to find love again, with Marilyn Sass Mueller.  They married in 2005 and made their home in Belle Plaine.  They were snowbirds in Mesa, AZ where they had many good times with friends, travel and their shared passion for golf.

He is survived by his wife, Marilyn; children, Teresa Sweeney (Joe Hofmeister), Corey (Pam), Rhett (Shayna), and Rachel (Brian) Grubbs; grandchildren, Caroline, Hannah, and Sam Hofmeister, Sean and Kathleen McSweeney, Brenna, Aiden, Rhys, and Connor McSweeney, and Zoe, Ellen, Tatum, and Fletcher Grubbs; stepchildren, Connie (Dan) Lehman, Tara (Brad) Eckel, and Ron Mueller (Jen and son Wyatt) and their children, Ashley (Dave) Sandvold and their son, Jace, Devin Lehman, Marissa and Gianna Eckel; sister, Mary Ellen Sweeney; brother, Robert (Wallie) Sweeney; sisters-in-law, Gloria (Roger) Graham, Gerri (John) Hennen, and Cheryl (Bill) Dreyer.

John is preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Marilyn; son, Shawn; brother, Thomas; and sister, Alice.

John had a great love of life and sense of humor and will be greatly missed. 

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