"Condolences to Tom\'s family. I remember Tom from childhood sitting on the brick wall next to my Grandparents Fischer\'s home and across the street from my Grandparents Benike\'s home, swinging his legs and waiting for a playmate. Our friendship continued through school and beyond. A couple years ago while on a visit to Lewiston I noticed a familiar face and walked forward saying, \"Tom\". He turned to me and called me by my name. Our conversation was brief but filled with stories and memories. Memories of Tom, his forever smile and friendliness. With Sincere Sympathy, Mary Fischer Lindell "
In loving memory of
Tom Wirt
June 5, 1943 - November 7, 2020
Thomas Thackeray Wirt, passed into the loving arms of his Savior on Saturday, November 7, 2020, at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota following a month long battle with complications of Covid 19. He was born June 5, 1943 in Winona and was a lifelong resident of Lewiston, Minnesota, graduating from Lewiston High School, class of 1961 and Winona Secretarial School in 1962. Tom was very active in his community. He was in the first EMT class in southeast Minnesota and was a charter member of the Lewiston Ambulance serving for twenty years. He was a volunteer fireman with Lewiston Fire Department for thirty-four years. He was active in Lewiston Lion's Club for over thirty years, served as a boy scout leader, and was a member of Lewiston Church of the Brethren. He served as treasurer of several organizations: Winona County DHIA, Lewiston Church of the Brethren, and Heartland Days. Tom was known for his meticulous handwriting and record keeping. He was a kidney transplant recipient in 2010 and was forever grateful to his donor, Cindi Love, for the gift of life and 10 years of normal living. He loved people and entertained them with his version of "Rindercella" and other poems he memorized. He always responded to "How are you?" with "I'm fantastic, but I'll get better". He loved travelling and enjoyed spending time in the Phoenix, Arizona area. He also enjoyed singing and music of many types, theater, and being with family.
Tom had varied occupations, beginning as a pin setter repairman for Clymar Bowl, accounting assistant for Jack Dory, bookkeeping at Camera Art, and accounting at SEMCAC. In 1992, he decided to change careers and attended Winona Vocational School for truck driving. He was an over the road truck driver for seventeen years working for Roehl Transport, Marshfield, WI; Midwest Transportation, Rochester, MN; and Taylor Trucking, Northfield, MN. He also drove school bus for Lewiston School District 857. After his retirement, he became a faithful driver for the Amish community, making many dear friends, and just loving the people he came in contact with.
He married Jana Werner in 1978 and they divorced in 1998. He married Betty M. Risser in 1999.
He is survived by his wife, Betty, a son, Thomas Lyle (Melynda) of Utica, stepdaughters Sarah Quam of Brooklyn Park, Beth Cage (Todd) of St. Charles; stepsons, Jamie Risser (Heidi) of Rochester, Joel Risser (Kristen) of Rochester, Brent Risser (Alanna) of Apple Valley; seven step grandchildren, Parker Cage, Emma Cage, Trent Risser, Kaleigh Risser, Tyler Risser, Zachary Risser, and Ryan Risser. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Dorothy Wirt.
Services to remember Tom will be 11 a.m. Saturday, November 14, 2020 at Hoff Funeral Service in St. Charles with Pastor Gordon Hoffert officiating. Burial will follow in the Church of the Brethren Cemetery in rural Lewiston. A visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Friday and 10 - 11 a.m. Saturday at Hoff funeral Service - St. Charles. Social distancing and facemasks are required. Tom's funeral service will be limited to 60 attendees. A live stream of the service may be accessed with the following link; https://www.oneroomstreaming.com/view/authorise.php?k=160499289084951
Please share a memory of Tom and view his video tribute when it becomes available at www.hofffuneral.com.
Tributes
"My sympathies to Tom\'s family. I met Tom through Betty years ago - and we would always touch base at the Fair. He was such a welcoming and happy person with interest in so many things. May God\'s grace be with you all during this time. He will be missed. "
"RIP Thomas what a grateful person. I have known Thomas all along from school, Lions, ambulance, and his daughter which was friends with mine. We had many fun times and shared lot. I will always remember my neighbor across the road. Will never forget when he Said he quit his accounting job and said he was going to truck driving school. Thought he was kidding. He did good. My Sympathy to all."
"To continue. When Thack got his kidney I visited him in the hospital. He asked if I would go a few floors below in the hospital and thank the lady who gave her kidney to him. I did and it became very emotional for me. I found out how much of a brother- like relationship our family had with Tommy."
"Thack has gone on, Not Tommy or Tom. Years ago he started calling me by my middle name, so I have always called him Thack as a short version of his middle name. As my classmate, and neighbor, and as a part of our family we will truly miss him. Frank Siebenaler Lake City Mn"
"Hi Betty, I do not know Tom\'s current family well because our connection was way back, starting in the early 1940s in Lewiston when we were small boys together. Tom was unique- caring, humorous and kind which he demonstrated all over again at the family reunion in Lewiston three years ago. I send my best wishes to the family, and my prayers are with Tom- although he was well connected to the Lord all on his own. Love , Jerry Roth "
"Our condolences to Betty and all who have known and loved Tom. Tom was a very caring person who always wanted to help others. He was one of the nicest people you?ll ever meet. I have many fond memories of Tom, going back to early in my youth, including visits to the State Fair. We also have many happy memories of playing games with Tom and his family, and Annette and I have both cherished our relationship with Tom and Betty throughout the years. When we got together or had a conversation, there was a lot of laughter ? we will miss that. We will miss you, Tom. "
"My cousin Tom and I had many fun times together. Over the years I spent some summers with Aunt Dorothy and Tom. There are so many deep-seated memories that I cherish. When I had my daughter, Julie, she spent time in Lewiston with Tom and family. Lewiston was the closest thing to home I can remember. When Tom game to visit my mother and I one time in Golden Valley, MN, he knocked on the door and when he saw my granddaughter, Jennifer, he said; \"little Julie\", she looked like her mom. Tom had a great sense of humor. Tom and I did a lot together as adults, I remember attending weddings, going to clubs, church, and the very best memory of all, Heidi, and Deans for Christmas.
Tom was a very kind person and cared greatly about others. It is evident in all the public service work he did for his community. He was active in the Brethren Church, this is where he met Betty, his beloved wife. Tom will truly be missed.
"
"So sorry to hear of Tom\'s passing. Many good memories over the years. The time Tom said he could turn his Corvair around in his garage and did it. The time he bought a new Corelle plate over to our house to show us this new dish was unbreakable and proceeded to purposely drop it on the cement and it shattered in a hundred pieces. That and many other memories of Tom always make us smile. Rest in peace, Tommy. "
"To Betty and family, Please accept our condolences for Tom\'s passing! RIP Tom! Jim and Linda Risser"
"Tom will always be remembered as a Servant to mankind. His heart was always in the right place, and he was blessed with the second chance at life receiving the organ donation from Cindi Love. God continues to work in mysterious ways. Our condolences to Betty and family. We were all better because of Tom."
"Tom was very, very high on my list of favorite people.He always recognized me and was beyond kind. The bright light of his soul will be missed. I hold his family in my heart. "
"When we first met Tom thru betty i could not believe how he could recall names wow know your heart is breaking right now. He is with his saviour. But can not imagine your loss "
"Such a good man! The community lost a legend. So sorry Betty and family. Much sympathy to you and yours. ??????"
" Tom was fantastic and now even better - Jim and Kay"
"Tom was one of a kind with a huge heart and many laughs - He will be missed by many. Many Blessings to all. Kent & Dawn"
"Betty, I am so sorry. I worked with you at Mayo. I was Carol Siegenthaler then (Snider now). I always loved hearing stories about you and Tom and your love story. My heart is sad for how hard this must be for you. I am sending hugs and prayers of comfort."
"I remember meeting Tom and his amazing wife Betty during our ADRC annual end of year event. He is such an amazing and caring person. He always cared for people and had a smile that never left him. You will always be remembered in a good way Tom."
"To Tom\'s family and friends; I am sorry for your loss, please accept my sympathy and condolences on his death. I served on the St. Charles Ambulance at the same time as Tom was on the Lewiston Ambulance. May his memories live on forever in your hearts."
"I have often thought of Tom and wondered about him. Tom and I worked together on the Rushford Ambulance Service for many years. I remember him trying to get his shoes on in the ambulance, his \"Rindercella\" rendition at ambulance get togethers. God bless and keep you, Tom! Condolences and prayers to Tom\'s family . . . "
"Tom was just another irritating older brother. Rest in God\'s hands, Tommy!"
"I was saddened to hear of Tom?s passing. I will remember Tom as a kind-hearted soul with a soft-spoken style and a twisted sense of humor. The world will be a lesser place without him. Rest In Peace, Tom."
"Oh the memories I have of working for years with Tom at Semcac, many, many years ago. He would make us laugh so hard sometimes, especially with those darn plastic spiders scaring Evie. What a kind, caring, do anything for anyone, kind of guy he was. I loved his chicken salad sandwiches and he always kept out some without curry powder, just for me. All of his volunteering at his Church, the Lewiston Fire Dept and while working at Semcac, he also volunteered at the Rushford Fire Dept too. He was always about helping others. Another great memory is his rendition of Cinderella, making so many people laugh at parties. I sure wish we could have gotten together one more time as co-workers, but unfortunately, life always takes us in different directions. Our deepest sympathy to Betty, Sarah, Tommy and all of the families, during this sad time. I know I will never forget you Tom! Rest in the hands of the Lord you always worshiped. "
"I have known Tom the most of my life in Lewiston enjoyed kidding around with him and just talking. We pray that God will look over him in the eternal life in Heaven Rest In Peace"
"Our brother has reached his resting place. We will miss Tommy and will never forget how he was part of our family.. Bless you Tommy."
"Tom was our neighbor when we were growing up, he didn?t have any siblings so he practically lived at our house because there he had 13 siblings. We loved Tom as a brother! Rest In Peace Tom, you were quite a fellow!!! And to Bette and family you have our sincere condolences!!!"
"To toms family i send prayers to you for loss of tom,was a kind person.God Bless "
" To Tom?s family: I am so sorry for your loss. I first met him years ago when we went to Bible school at the Lewiston Presbyterian church! May God comfort you."