John Joseph Whalen, 95 of Thief River Falls, MN formerly of Oklee, MN died on Saturday, January 20, 2001 at Northwest Medical Center in Thief River Falls, MN. Arrangements with Johnson Funeral Service Inc of Oklee, MN.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, January 27, 2001 at 10:30 AM at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Oklee with Father Gary LaMoine Officiating. Burial will be held at the St. Vincent dePaul Catholic Cemetery at Plummer, MN.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to services on Saturday only.

John Joseph Whalen was born November 1, 1905 at Equality Township, Red Lake County, MN son of Kerence and Margaret (Donahue) Whalen. He was raised and educated in Equality Township. He worked on the family farm with his father. He then farmed with his brother George at Terrebonne, MN. He later returned to the family homestead where he farmed with his father until his retirement. Joe also worked for the Jenson Mink Ranch for a few years. He continued to live on the family farm until entering the Valley Home in Thief River Falls in 1991 where he has since resided.
Joe enjoyed fishing and trapping, always had a garden, baked bread and pies. He loved to watch animals in the wild.
He is survived by his sister-in-law Esther Whalen of rural Oklee, MN: 8 nieces and 7 nephews and many grandnieces and grandnephews.
Joe is preceded in death by his parents, sisters Sister Mary Linus, Emma Schirrick, Florence Whalen, Hazel Whalen and an infant sister. Brothers James Will Whalen, George Whalen, Tom Whalen.

ORGANIST: Barb Melby
SOLOIST: Carolyn Rystad
CASKET BEARERS: Greg Whalen, Mike Whalen, Terry Whalen, Dean Radniecki, Don Schirrick, and Dan Schirrick.
SERVERS: Steven Whalen, Nathan Whalen
READER: Angie Radniecki