John Slater Gallagher
John Slater Gallagher, age 90 of Rural Lakeville, MN passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on April 23, 2026. John is survived by his loving children, Bill (Sandy), Kathleen, John (Melissa) Gallagher, Colleen (Phil) Tupa, Margie (Adam) Platt; 13 grandchildren, Vanessa (Ben) Schmidt, Cody (Alaina), Mark (Galen), Mariah (Kellen), & Tyler (Taylor) Gallagher, Eric (Jessie) Danielowski, Connor & Rylee Gallagher, Jayden, Ben & Daniel Tupa, Ella & Eli Platt; 9 great grandchildren; Josef, Anikah, Bodie, Daphne & Bailey Schmidt, Jacob, Alexis, Jackson & Max Danielowski. Siblings, Liz (Gallagher) Kane and Kay (Jerry) Oxborough; sister-in-law Rita Gallagher, siblings-in-law, Leo Martin, Lucille Lois and Louise Anderson, also by many nieces, nephews, other family and friends. John is preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Mary (Martin) Gallagher, parents, Bertram & Catherine Gallagher, sister Mary (Art) Nilsson, brother, Joe Gallagher, father & mother-in-law William & Louise (Tutewohl) Martin, siblings-in-law, Loretta (Edward) Giles, Lawrence “Jack” (Rosalee) Martin, William (Darlene) Martin, and Cecelia (Marvin) Giles, Geneva Martin, Stanley Lois, Warren Anderson.
John was born on May 9, 1935, in St. Paul, MN. After graduating from Lakeville High School, John joined the United States Navy. He married Mary Martin on July 9, 1960, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Savage, MN. In 1963 they moved to the farm where they raised their family and built a lifetime of memories. John’s greatest joy was dancing to a great waltz or polka with Mary, spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren around the farm and taking great pride in his Irish heritage. John was a lifelong farmer & member of the Local 49 Union of Operating Engineers. In 1987, John transitioned from working off the farm to focus on growing his own business, Gallaghers Inc., which he was involved in until his passing. John was the most amazing Husband, Dad, Grandpa, Great Grandpa, and friend to all those lucky enough to have known him.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM Friday, May 1, 2026, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 4625 West l25th St. Savage, MN. with visitation from 4-8 PM Thursday, April 30, 2026, at the White Funeral Home, 20134 Kenwood Tr. (hwy 50) Lakeville, MN and 1 hr prior to Mass at the Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery.
Online condolences at: www.whitefuneralhomes.com
