Rick “Rosie” O’Neil, age 66 of Morton, died tragically on June 11, 2021.  Memorial Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, June 18, 2021 at the Redwood Valley Funeral Home.  Visitation will be held 4:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home, and will continue one hour prior to the service on Friday.  Interment will be held in the Morton Cemetery.  In honor of Rosie’s easy-going nature, the family requests that guests wear casual clothes.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the American Cancer Society.  Stephens Funeral Service – Redwood Valley Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Rick “Rosie” O’Neil was born December 7, 1954 in Redwood Falls, Minnesota to Marvin H. and Hazel (Blue) O’Neil.  He was baptized and confirmed in the Methodist Church in Morton.  He attended school in Morton, and graduated from Morton High School in 1973.  All throughout high school, Rosie worked seven days a week at Erv Lothert’s gas station in Morton.  After graduation, he worked as a carpenter for a short time.  Rosie was then employed with the railroad where he held many different positions during his 37 years of employment, most notably as bridge foreman.  On December 2, 2004, Rosie married Beth Preusse.  They enjoyed many years together wintering in Arizona. Rosie was a Jack of All Trades, and had many talents.  He would help anyone or give the shirt off his back – no questions asked.  He often took his dogs on Ranger rides.  Rosie was a social man who loved having coffee with the guys every morning – both in Arizona and Minnesota.  He loved golfing, fishing, riding horse, and riding his Harley.  His nieces and nephews remember him as the fun uncle.  He could often be found with his tobacco pipe in hand, and folks around him commented how the vanilla tobacco smelled like cookies baking.  Rosie was always smiling, optimistic, saw the positive side to everything, and never gave up. 

Rosie is survived by his wife, Beth; daughter Addie O’Neil (Justin Hedemark) of Redwood Falls; sisters: Barbara (Tom) Greenslit of Hastings, Patricia (Bob) Tisdell of Hastings, SueAnn O’Neil of Tomah, WI; special aunt Rosemary “Noog” March of Redwood Falls; uncles Henry (Judy) O’Neil of Roseville and John (Betty) O’Neil of Norwood; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and good friends.  He is preceded in death by his parents, siblings Jerry, Marvin C., Judy Kay and an infant brother.