Charles D. O' Reilly

Charles Dennis O'Reilly, 66, Red Wing, died Sunday, June 20, 2010 at his home. He was born November 20, 1943 in Red Wing, the son of Joseph and Mary Catherine (Heaney) O'Reilly. He grew up in the Goodhue area and was a 1961 graduate of Goodhue High School. He served in the U. S. Marine Corps from 1961 to 1965 then he returned home to farm. He was united in marriage to Patrice Edstrom on February 4, 1967 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church. The couple was involved with the National Farmers Organization and other farm organizations and they farmed organically until the mid 1980's. Charles also became involved in raising and training Border Collies and attended his first Sheepdog Trial in 1975. He trained dogs fulltime from the mid 1980's until the present time. He judged many sheepdog trials throughout the world, including judging at the USBCHA National Finals three times. He served on the USBCHA Board of Directors for many years. He participated in and won many trials, hosted the Red Wing Sheepdog Trials for 18 years, and wrote a book about training Border Collies. He was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church. He was a diehard Democrat and enjoyed talking about politics. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family.

Survivors include his wife, Patrice of Red Wing; children: Jennifer (Dave) McDonald, Selene O'Reilly, Matthew (Jeannine Nagel) O'Reilly, Quinn (Sara) O'Reilly, Erica (Nick) Huneke and Emily (Chris) Schmit; thirteen grandchildren: siblings: Dan O'Reilly, Margaret (Don) Ferber, Paul (Cathy) O'Reilly, Geri (Tim) Casey, Roger (Karen) O'Reilly, David (Mary Jo) O'Reilly and Steve (Bev) O'Reilly; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, JoAnn Hilan and one brother, Bernard O'Reilly.

Memorial service will be 11 a.m. Friday, June 25, 2010 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Goodhue, with Father Bruce Peterson officiating. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Thursday at Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel and on Friday for one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials are preferred to the donor's local food shelf.