Then, when his father-in-law had a heart attack, they started working as a team to dig graves. Digger has been in the grave business since 1988, digging well over 3,000 graves in as many as 19 different cemeteries. Digger digs graves in many of our local cemeteries including Geneva, First Lutheran in Ellendale, St. Aidens, St. Mary’s, St. Ansgar, East Freeborn, Central Freeborn,North Freeborn, West Freeborn, Hayward and Moscow.
Asked if he digs them by hand, he laughed and said, "I am glad you asked me that, a lot of people do. No. I use a shovel." He feels it is easier to dig them by hand, using a shovel, than by doing it mechanically.
His slim, little arms of his have learned how to do it, one shovel full at a time. He has learned to work in a rhythm, which really helps. Digger said an "easy" grave can be dug in about two hours and 45 minutes. But a tough one, with tree roots and stone, will take four or five hours.
Jeff Carlson has been working with him for a number of years. The sexton marks out the grave, and the grave digger removes the sod and proceeds to set up a wooden frame work to hold the dirt that will be used, once the vault and coffin have been put in place. He also has a dump truck that he uses to remove a large amount of the dirt that will no longer be needed.
At one time, Digger dug about three or four graves a week, but has only been digging about one or two a week now. Generally, his hand shovels last him about three years. He has a couple of his old shovels on display in front of his home and has cut his last name, "Donnelly," into them.
Digger’s dad was a semi-pro baseball player and coach. He was also head of the umpires association while the family lived in Japan. Digger enjoyed playing baseball while he was growing up, always remembering his dad’s advice: "Keep your eye on the ball.”
When Tom was born, in 1951, he was so little they could only estimate his size. The doctors had to run a needle into his head, and as a result, he has always had a bald spot there.
Tom has three brothers. They all live in the Western states. His brother Mike is 13 months younger than him and is six feet tall. Mike was selected as all-state in football in Utah. His brother Kevin and his youngest brother, Pat, are also six feet tall.
Tom was married for 30 years and is the father of six children. His son, Dan, is a lawyer in Austin and is the father of three. Tom’s daughters, Mary, Bridget and Molly, all live in the Twin Cities area. Mary and Bridget each have one child. Tom’s daughter, Theresa, and son, Tim, both live in Northern California.
"Mayor" of Harmony Park for 15 years, he runs the "Lucky Pub" there when they have music festivals, which occur about five times a year.
Tom lives near Clarks Grove and his favorite foods are shrimp at Geneva Bar and Grill and Irish Stew.
Digger misses Ireland. He would jump at the chance to go back.
