Emmet E. Gallagher of Owatonna died January 13, 2020 at Timberdale Trace in Owatonna. Mass of Christian Burial is set for Thursday, January 16, 2020 at 10:30 am at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Owatonna. Friends may greet Emmet’s family on Wednesday, January 15, 2020 from 5 – 7 pm at Brick – Meger Funeral Home in Owatonna and one hour before the funeral liturgy on Thursday at the church. Interment will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery with Military Honors by the Steele County Funeral Unit. The Owatonna Knights of Columbus will recite the rosary at 7 pm on Wednesday at the funeral home.
Emmet was born on June 11, 1925 the son of Joseph and Emily (Roeder) Gallagher in Pleasant Hill township rural Winona County. Emmet attended high school in Houston, MN and was a member of the graduating class of 1943. After high school he enlisted in the United States Navy and served in Guam and in the Philippine Islands. Following his military services Emmet went to study at the University of Minnesota and graduated with a degree in Journalism. He was united in marriage to Rosemary Conway on Oct. 21, 1950 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waseca. The couple raised their family in Owatonna while Emmet worked for Federated Insurance holding many leadership positions throughout his 33-year career. He held his Irish heritage close to his heart with all the blarney, malarkey, shenanigans. He was instrumental in the organization and developing the Befriender Ministry in Owatonna area. Emmet was a life member of the Owatonna Knight of Columbus and the Elk’s, St. Joseph Church. His life interests include bee keeping, gardening, the outdoors, hunting and boundary waters, wine and beer making. Spending time with his kids and grandkids. Emmet will be remembered for his kindness, patience and the epitome of a country gentleman.
Emmet will be missed by his wife of 69 years Rosemary his children Kevin (Marie) Gallagher of Owatonna, Maureen Wencl of Medford, Kerry (Jackie) Gallagher of Champlin, Mn, Greg (Kelly) Gallagher of Owatonna, Jeff (Brenda) Gallagher of Owatonna, Steve (Carol) Gallagher of Granite Shoals, TX. 14 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren. His brother Robert (Shirley) Gallagher of Onalaska, WI. Emmet was preceded in death by infant daughter Glenette, sister Francis Frie and brother Joseph Gallagher. Memorials may be directed to St. Mary’s School in Owatonna. |