Daniel (Joe) Joseph O’Connell, age 65, of Spring Valley, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family after a courageous battle with cancer on December 10, 2025. Joe was born December 26, 1959, in Austin, Minn. He was the son of Nick and Lois (Ringenberg) O’Connell. Joe moved to Spring Valley at age 4 and attended Spring Valley schools where he graduated in 1978. Joe married the love of his life, Patricia Freiheit on January 28, 1984, at Our Savior’s Lutheran in Spring Valley.
Joe worked alongside his dad at O’Connell Excavating until he graduated. He then drove truck for Moeller Farms and Schultz Trucking. He then went on to work for Thompson Motors for six years until he and his brothers purchased the family business. He was proudly involved with O’Connell Excavating until his passing.
Joe enjoyed anything with a motor. He loved riding his Harley and made many trips out to Sturgis. He enjoyed attending races of any kind, driving in demo derbies, water-skipping and racing snowmobiles. His family recalls working on demo cars in the front yard. Bucket list items included trips to hunt prairie dogs and hogs, competing in a trailer race and a snowmobile trip out to Wyoming with his boys and friends.
Joe’s famous quote “but, it was a good deal” is the reason he accumulated a shed full of stuff. Family was always a priority and Joe enjoyed spending time with his grandkids doing just about anything.
Joe was a member of the snowmobile club for 30 years, Sportsman’s Club, Patriot Guard, Ag Day Committee, 4-H, and was Kiwanis Citizen of the Year in 2022 along with Patty. Joe was always willing to give anyone a hand.
Joe is survived by his wife Patricia, daughter Alicia O’Connell, sons Johnathan (Katy) O’Connell, Jason (Alexandria) O’Connell and Thomas (Alexandra) O’Connell; grandchildren Dasanay, Addison, Carson, Colton and Owen; sisters Lori (Al) Stier and Lana (Dave) Blanchard, brothers Jim (Vicki) O’Connell, Dave (Laurie) O’Connell, Bryan (Kathy) O’Connell and Wayne (Brenda) O’Connell; mother-in-law Maggie Freiheit, sisters-in-law Rhonda O’Connell, Holly (Corey) Sanford, and Becky Adkins; and brothers-in-law Steve (Amy) Freiheit, Mike (Soyna) Freiheit and Adam Leighton.
He was preceded in death by his parents Nick and Lois, Mary Tru, his brother Jerry, father-in-law Wendall Freheit, and nephews Brady Sanford and Dalton Freiheit.
A heartfelt thank you to St. Croix Hospice team for the compassionate care and unwavering support provided to Joe and his family.
There will be a visitation at the Spring Valley Ambulance Station Wednesday, December 17 from 4-7 p.m. A celebration of life will be at the Old 7th Event Center in Racine, Minn., on January 24, 2026, starting at 3 p.m. and extending into the evening with no set ending time, as Joe would have wanted.
Condolences may be left at www.Hindtfuneralhomes.com.
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