Phillip "Pete" O'Brien

Phillip R. "Pete" O'Brien, 88, New Effington, SD, passed away Friday, August 9, 2013, at the Tekakwitha Living Center in Sisseton, SD.
Funeral mass was Tuesday, August 13, at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Peter Catholic Church in Sisseton with Father Joseph Hitpas, OMI, officiating. Music was provided by organist Colette Hull and song leader Sandi Jaspers.
Burial was in the St. Peter Cemetery, Sisseton. Honorary pallbearers were Pete's family, friends and the Threshing Bee Crew. Active pallbearers were Mark Thyne, Daniel Thyne, Richard Biggs, Mike Karels, Eugene Karels, and Jim Pirmantgen.
Visitation was Monday from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. There was a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. followed by a Knights of Columbus rosary at the church. Visitation continued Tuesday one hour prior to the service at the church.
Phillip Richard "Pete" O'Brien was born February 14, 1925, in Delaware Township, Grant County, near Herman, MN, to John H. and Anna (Hanson) O'Brien. He attended several rural schools in the area and also Hoffman, MN, public schools. In March 1939, Pete moved with his family to a farm in Harmon Township south of Rosholt and attended rural school there. A move to a farm one-half mile north of Rosholt gave him his start at Rosholt High School. In 1943 the family moved to a farm northeast of Sisseton in Hart Township. He was needed on the farm so was unable to finish high school.
Pete's interest in auto mechanics led him to winter jobs in several mechanic shops in Sisseton. In 1950 he was employed as a full-time mechanic at Brooks Motors along with his weekend work on his farm. In 1962 Pete resigned as the shop foreman to begin his own mechanic shop on the farm.
Pete and Mary Catherine Thyne were married on May 9, 1949, at the St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Milbank, SD. They became the parents of three daughters. The family lived in Sisseton for 10 ½ years while building the buildings on the farm. In August 1959 they moved to the farm south of New Effington where they lived until Pete entered the Tekakwitha Living Center in 2012.
Pete was a member of St. Peter Catholic Church where he served as an usher for 34 years. As a member of the Sisseton Council of Knights of Columbus, he served in many of the offices, including Grand Knight.
Pete was known as a storyteller. He enjoyed bowling, dancing, playing cards, having coffee with friends, hunting, fishing, camping, and auction sales. He especially enjoyed attending threshing bees and became a member of Lake Region Pioneer Threshermen's Association in Dalton, MN, and the Rosholt Area Threshermen's Association. He was active in both until his health deteriorated. He had a hobby of collecting and restoring antique tractors, especially Minneapolis Molines.
In later years, Pete and Mary enjoyed traveling. They visited all 50 states and parts of Canada and Mexico. They spent about 20 winters in Texas.
Survivors include his wife, Mary of New Effington; two daughters, Kathleen O'Brien of New Hope, MN, and Eileen (Bob) Skjonsberg of Sisseton; three grandchildren, Jason (Sherri) Skjonsberg of New Effington, Kristy (Jason) Hull of Sisseton and Eric (Jinky) Skjonsberg of Browns Valley; 13 great-grandchildren; sisters, Susie Knoblich of Georgetown, TX, Verma (Murrel) Logan of Ardmore, OK, Mary Mittag of Wahpeton, ND; and brother Ralph (Luann) O'Brien of Wyoming, MN.
Pete was preceded in death by his parents; an infant daughter, Connie; a great-grandson, Keon Hull and other great-grandchildren.