Alice O'Connor

Alice M. O’Connor, 91, of St. Paul, MN died on Sunday, September 16. Alice May Ford was born May 1, 1927 on a farm near Ada, MN to Walter and Alma Ford. The middle child of three children, she grew up on the family farm. Following high school, she ventured to “the cities” where she worked at The Golden Rule department store. She met Kenneth (Boots) Marx in St. Paul, married, and had three children, Mary Alice (1950-1957), Glenn and Diane. Alice began working at Ecolab in 1963 and worked there until she retired. Alice and Boots divorced in 1968 and she then raised her two children alone, working hard to make ends meet. In 1976 Alice married Bernard (Jim) O’Connor who had four children. She very much enjoyed the family get-togethers with all of the O’Connors. Alice was an active member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church on the East Side of St. Paul, joining the church in 1955. Her church was a big part of her life and she made many life-long friendships there. Alice enjoyed knitting, crocheting and embroidery - she always had her knitting with her. She looked forward to the craft fairs where she would sell her wares. Some of her favorite memories include visits to friends living in AZ, trips to Germany, Italy and Ireland as well as several bus trips throughout the U.S. Alice is survived by Glenn (Terri) Marx and their two children, Anna and Toby Marx, and by Diane Marx (Ed Nowak). She is also survived by her brother Johnny (Marlene) Ford, sister-in-law Hilde Ford, stepchildren Cadence (Jerry) Youngberg, Curtis (Karin) O’Connor, Roseanne (Michael) Hable, stepdaughter-in-law Patti O’Connor, as well as her seven step grandchildren, step great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her companion cat Maggie. She was preceded in death by her parents Walter & Alma Ford, her daughter Mary Alice, brother Harold Ford, husband Jim O’Connor, and stepson James O’Connor. Memorial service will be held Saturday, September 22 at 11:00 AM with visitation at 10:00 AM at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, 674 Johnson Parkway, St. Paul, MN. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Animal Humane Society (AHS) in honor of Alice’s love of cats. The family would like to thank the wonderful staff and volunteers of Ecumen Hospice and Ecumen Lakeview Commons for the kind and compassionate care they provide every day.