Thomas “Tom” Steichen

Macken Funeral Home Memorial Photo
Date of Birth:
Sunday, June 6, 1937
Date of Death:
Thursday, January 20, 2022
Age:
84 years old

Visitation

Date: Wednesday January 26, 2022
Time: 10:00 am

Location: St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church [ view map ]

Memorial Mass

Date: Wednesday January 26, 2022
Time: 11:00 am

Location: St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church [ view map ]

Burial

Location: Calvary Cemetery [ view map ]

Macken Funeral Home Memorial Photo
Date of Birth:
Sunday, June 6, 1937
Date of Death:
Thursday, January 20, 2022
Age:
84 years old
Macken Funeral Home Memorial Photo
Date of Birth:
Sunday, June 6, 1937
Date of Death:
Thursday, January 20, 2022
Age:
84 years old

Thomas “Tom” Steichen

Thomas Alfred Steichen, 84, of Rochester, Minnesota, passed from this life to be with his heavenly Father on Thursday, January 20, 2022. He had resided at Madonna Towers Memory Care since September 2021.
Tom was born June 6, 1937 in Adams, Minnesota to Andrew and Hannah (Bottema) Steichen. The 5th of 10 children. He graduated from Adams High School in the Class of 1955. He met the love of his life, Mary Ann Bolster, at the Terp Ballroom in Austin, Minnesota in 1957. They were married at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Farmington, Minnesota, October 8, 1960.  Together they lived in Rochester, Minnesota from 1960 until 1994 where they raised their six children. Tom spent his working career at International Business Machines in Rochester from 1957 until his retirement in 1991.
While working at IBM in his 40’s, he took up running and used to run to and from work daily, 11 miles round trip. He completed several marathons and qualified for the Boston Marathon in his 50’s. He passed on his love for running to his children and many of his grandchildren. When he could no longer run, he took up tennis and it became his passion, until the time of his first stroke at the age of 74.
Tom enlisted in the U.S. Army National Guard in 1960 and completed his Basic Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, 5th Battalion, 3rd Regiment. He always spoke fondly of his advanced winter training in Alaska, climbing and skiing down glaciers. In 1992 Tom and Mary Ann bought a “cabin” on East Twin Lake in Pequot Lakes, Minnesota so the children and grandchildren could all come and play together. Tom spent two years adding onto the cabin and making it into a home. In 1994 they sold their home in Rochester and moved up north permanently. They created many great, new relationships with their Church parishioners and neighbors. They spent many an evening with their card club friends, playing 500 and Dominos. One of Dad’s favorite pastimes was ice fishing out on the lake while mom sewed quilts in the sewing room he had built for her. He also spent many hours picking berries along the Paul Bunyan Trail and fermenting them into delicious wines that he would share with all of the many visitors that would come to their home.
He is survived by his loving wife Mary Ann, his daughters Renee Montes of North Branch, MN, Lynn (James) Graif of Elk River, MN; sons, Richard (Mary) of Makinen, MN, William and Alan (Kellie) of Rochester and Christopher (Colleen) of Johnston, IA; 14 grandchildren and 11 great- grandchildren. Two sisters, Margaret Brush of WA, Mary (Dick) Thamert of Owatonna, MN; brothers, Raymond of CA, David (Carol) of Cincinnati, OH, Donald and James (Tina) of CA; and sister-in-law Anne Steichen of Volente, TX. And nieces and nephews, too numerous to mention.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Ramona and brother-in- law John Urrutia, two brothers Roman and sister-in-law Pat (Cooper) and Robert and a grandson Benjamin Montes.
Tom Steichen was a loving husband and father; he lived for his family. Kind and gentle hearted, honest and upright and enjoyed the respect of all who knew him. He was a hardworking, industrious man and no one ever heard a harsh word from him about anyone. His life was based on the golden rule. He leaves his family memories that they can revere with satisfaction and great pride; that of a moral life. It is consoling to think that his reward is assured in the realms of immortality. May the spiritual petitions for his eternal repose be numerous, and bring to him the rewards of a life, every hour of which was a blessing to others.
The Memorial Mass for Tom will be held on Wednesday, January 26, 2022 at 11:00AM at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Rochester with Father Mark McNea officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the Mass at the church. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery, Rochester.
Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com

Condolences

The family of Thomas “Tom” Steichen has received the following condolences.

DEAR MARY ANN AND  FAMILY,


  I WAS SO HAPPY TO REMEET YOU THE OTHER SAT NIGHT AT ST. PIUS MARY ANN,  MY SINCERER SYMPATHY TO YOU IN YOUR LOSS, OUR LORD IS MERCIFUL AND HAS TAKEN HIM HOME TO HIS HEAVENLY HOME.


MAY GOD BLESS HIS MEMORY AND I AM SURE HE WILL BE REMEMBERED BY MANY FOR ALL THE WONDERFUL THINGS HE ACCOMPLISHED AND ALL THE PEOPLE HE HAS TOUCHED,


  MY LOVE AND PRAYERS FOR ALL OF YOU, TRULY A GOOD MAN, HUSBAND AND FATHER I'M CERTAIN.


BLESSINGS ON EACH OF YOU AS YOU SHARE HIS LOSS TOGETHER,


sincerely, Helen Mueller

Lynn and Steichen Family


I am sorry to hear of the loss of Tom. I remember him as a young girl. I always liked him and thought he was a great dad. I wish your family peace during your time of grief. Hold on to all the good memories.


Jackie Vail

Mary Ann and all:


What a wonderful man!  I am sad to learn of Tom's death and moreover the health challenges he faced.   I pray for him and for your consolation and blessings for your children and grandchildren. 


Fr Edward McGrath 


 


 


 

Dear Steichen Family,


       Condolences to you all at the death of Tom.  Remembering when we were neighbors over S.E. Rochester.


        Thank you.  Gods' Blessings to you.  Sincerely, Jim Small                         


 


 

Mary Ann and Steichen Family,


  Tom and all of you certainly had your faith put to the test these last few years.  Your love is obvious.  In the days of grieving to come, I pray that you will feel the comfort of God's boundless love.  Blessings and peace to you, Janet Bedard

Steichen Family...so very sorry to hear about your dad and husband.  Our family knows how hard this is.....much love to your family.

 AL, AND KELLY  YOU ARE IN MY HEART, REMEMBER YOU WERE A  GOOD SON  TO YOUR dAD!! MUCH lOVE,  lAURIE 

Mary Ann and the Steichen Family,


So sorry to hear of your loss.  You are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.  Thank you for sharing Tom with us at Madonna

Steichen Family: I am sorry to hear of the passing of Tom, I remember the years I was at St. Francis and how much you all were involved in the church. My condolences and prayers to the entire family. Tom will always be with you in your hearts.


 

Lynn and Family,


So  very sorry to hear of your Father's  passing.  Our thoughts are prayers are  with you at this very sad time. Cherish the memories!!


Love Bob and Rosalie

Tom was one of the people who welcomed us with open arms to St Alice Thank you Maryann for doing the same. Tom was a genuine example of a man who truly followed his faith. Mary and Larry would have been so sad to hear of his passing, as are we. They cherished your friendship.   We've missed you. Our condolences, Mariann and family. Many prayers for all who will miss him so dearly.


 

We are very sorry to hear about Tom.  Such a good man, always cheerful.  Our thoughts are with you, Mary Ann and your family.  And of course, prayers.

I was sad to hear about Tom's death.  You will all be in my prayers.  I miss you.


Donna 

Bill,


My deepest sympathy to you and your family during this difficult time. Your dad sounds like an extraordinary guy who will be missed by many!

My sympathy to you Al and all the members of the Steichen Family.  You Father lived a great life.  God Bless.

Oh how I loved and enjoyed speaking to Tom.   He was such a beautiful person who loved everyone.  His kindness and loving heart was always on full display.   I have missed seeing you both since you moved back to Rochester.   If you think of it, the Gregorian Masses are so powerful to have for a loved one who has passed away.   30 Masses in 30 days, will release our loved ones from purgatory.   I will pray for Tom and certainly for you Maryann.  God bless you and I am so sorry for your loss..and really a loss for all,of us.
May Gods mercy and love always be upon you.


Patty Bonicatto


 


 


 

Tom was a very loving and caring person with many talents. He was always upbeat and ready to lend a hand.


He will be missed by the community as well as by all of his family.


Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time of sorrow. May God's peace encircle you in these times.


Mike and Pauline Varley

God has taken a good man home and left so many fond memories. PLEASE KNOW OF OUR LOVE, HUGS & PRAYERS as you remember and miss him.