Thomas H. “Tom” Schmotter Sr., age 82 of Minneapolis, died suddenly but peacefully at home on Christmas Day, Dec.25, 2023.
Tom Sr., the son of Marion and Harold Schmotter, was born on Feb. 12, 1941 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Tom Sr., one of seven children, grew up on a farm in Hastings, and was a proud graduate of Hastings High School in 1959. He was married and blessed with 4 children, whom he loved deeply. He was a very successful small business owner, and worked hard so he could enjoy his his biggest passions, including fishing & hunting at the cabin, driving his old Dodge trucks, and spending time with his family. He was very proud of his homes, which he built himself. He was always searching for a way to help others, and will be especially remembered as being his own man.
Tom Sr. was preceded in death by his son Tom Jr; parents Marion and Harold; brother Mike; son-in-law Kevin Rist.
He will be deeply missed by his children Gwen (Tim) Fitzpatrick; Cindy Rist; Robert (Marilyn) Schmotter; grandchildren Kati (Marc) Johnson, David (Melinda) Rist, Jessica (Jim) O’Malley; great grandchildren Kyre, Bella, and Sophia Johnson, Elli, Kiki and Tori O’Malley; siblings Jeanne (Dennis) Lindberg, Jan (Dan) Langenfeld, Carol Schmotter, Theresa Schmotter, Jim (Nancy) Schmotter.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Thurs., Jan. 4 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Hastings, Minnesota with a visitation starting two hours prior. Burial will take place immediately following at SEAS cemetery, and the family wishes to welcome friends and family for a reception after the burial back at church.
