James 'Red' D. O'Rourke - 67

St. Cloud, Minnesota

March 5, 1943-October 22, 2010

James 'Red' D. O'Rourke, age 67, of St. Cloud, MN, died Friday October 22, 2010 at his home.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, October 26, 2010 at St. John's Catholic Church, Foley, MN. The Rev. Bernard Kahlhamer will officiate. Burial will be in the St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery, Sauk Rapids, MN. Military honors will be provided by the Foley American Legion.

Friends may call from 4 to 9 p.m. Monday at the Foley Funeral Home in Foley, MN and 9 to 10 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Parish prayers will be 5 p.m. Monday. Arrangements were made by the Foley Funeral Home, Foley, MN.

James O'Rourke was born March 5, 1943 in Minden Twp., Benton Co., MN to Thomas and Mary (Feany) O'Rourke. He graduated from Foley High School in 1961, lettering in football, wrestling and track. He was an Army Veteran from 1963-1966. He married Delores Gruba in 1970 and later divorced. He married Helen Tanner Jokinen in 1992 and had lived in St. Cloud, MN since 1992. He had operated O'Rourke Station in Foley from 1978-1980. He had worked for Bauerly Brothers/Knife River for 42 years and was very loyal to them. Red liked to watch football games and was very patriotic towards his country. He was a perfectionist at everything he did and very organized. He was a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather. He always thought of others before himself. Red volunteered every Wednesday at the Salvation Army in St. Cloud, MN and he and Helen went down and helped with Hurricane Katrina through Helen's church. The couple loved to travel. He also loved camping, gardening and spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was a member of the Foley American Legion Post 298.

He is survived by his wife, Helen, St. Cloud, MN; daughters and son, Shannon (John) Westgard, Clear Lake, MN; Dawn (Glenn Roses) O'Rourke, St. Cloud, MN; Sean (Jamie), O'Rourke, Sartell, MN; step-children, Eric Jokinen, Burnsville, MN; and Emily Jokinen, Sheboygan, WI; 6 grandchildren, Devin Westgard, Zach Roses, Dylan Roses, Maddy O'Rourke, McKenzie Roses and Alayna O'Rourke; step grandchild, Hunter Jokinen; brothers and sisters, Kay Dalton, Buffalo, MN; Pat (Mary Lou) O'Rourke, Janesville, WI; Jerry (Karen) O'Rourke, Red Wing, MN; Margie (Roger) Baumhover, St. Paul, MN; and Larry (Irene) O'Rourke, Moorhead, MN; and dog, Sophie.

He was preceded in death by his parents Thomas and Mary and two granddaughters, Angel Roses and Brittany Westgard.

Memorial are preferred in lieu of flowers.