Thomas “Tom” Anthony Furr
Thursday, June 11, 1931
Date of Death:
Friday, July 14, 2023
Age:
92 years old
Visitation
Date: Friday August 04, 2023
Time: 9:30 am - 11:00 am
Location: Church of the Resurrection Catholic Church [ view map ]
Celebration of Life
Date: Friday August 04, 2023
Time: 11:00 am
Location: Church of the Resurrection Catholic Church [ view map ]
Burial
Location: Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery Preston [ view map ]
Thursday, June 11, 1931
Date of Death:
Friday, July 14, 2023
Age:
92 years old
Thursday, June 11, 1931
Date of Death:
Friday, July 14, 2023
Age:
92 years old
Thomas “Tom” Anthony Furr
Thomas “Tom” Anthony Furr, 92, of Rochester, MN, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Friday July 14, 2023.
Thomas was born June 11, 1931 in Pipestone, MN the son of C. Everett Furr and Loretta Marie (Carrigan) Furr.
In 1949, at the age of 18 he tragically lost his mother in a wood stove explosion. His father later married Emily Boucher in 1953, a widow with four children. They were blessed with two children of their own, completing their family of 17 children.
He graduated from Sacred Heart Grade School and High School in Waseca in 1950 served in the U.S. Army in 1954-1956. He married the love of his life Elizabeth (Bette) Ann Mulcahey on October 26, 1954 after meeting Bette at a dance at the Kato Ballroom in Mankato MN. Tom and Bette were married at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Janesville, MN, a union which lasted nearly 69 years. Upon returning from the Army, he worked at St. Marys Hospital and started working at IBM in 1959, a career which lasted 32 years. Tom was proud of his Irish Catholic heritage. He was a faithful servant to the Catholic Church, charter member of the Church of The Resurrection, a fourth-degree member of the Knights of Columbus, member of the Serra Club and the IBM Quarter Century Club.
Tom is survived by his wife Bette, siblings Rita (Jack) Eggert, Charles Furr, Margaret (Norm) Doyone, Ramona Tonga, Ann (Dan) Pote, Laura (Brian) Draeger, step-brother Leo (Phyllis) Boucher, step-sister Mary Brixius, brothers-in-law Mahlon Grubish, Clifford Mittelstaedt and sister-in-law Yvonne Furr. Seven children: Constance Furr, Michael (Cheryl) Furr, Susan (Tim) Petersen, Patricia (Russ) Yaucher, Bonnie (Steve) Beaulieu, Kevin (Sandra) Furr, Laurie (Richard) Beach, twelve grandchildren: Jamie Furr (Josh Streiff), Joshuah Furr (Kay Neitge), Krista (Jon) Lindstrom, Jessica Petersen (Travis Gowans), Adam Petersen, Alyssa (Mychal) Vander Aarde, Jennifer Yaucher, Lauren Beaulieu, Megan Furr, Victoria Furr, Brooklyn Beach, and Jack Thomas Beach, and six great grandchildren, Breanna Furr, Keigen Streiff, Ryan Thomas Petersen, Adaline Gowans, Elena Gowans and Stanley Vander Aarde.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, brothers William Furr, Dr. Leo Furr, Robert Furr, sisters Zita Mittelstaedt, Gertrude Grubish, Loretta Furr Olson, step-mother Emily Boucher Furr, step-brother Tom Boucher, step-sister Eileen Kott, sisters-in-law Geraldine Furr, Marilyn Furr, brother-in-law Tony Tonga and great granddaughter Elizabeth Ann Lindstrom.
Tom was a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, friend and will be remembered for his positive outlook on life. He was a true servant of the Lord, kind, compassionate and hard working. He always had a joke to share to put a smile on your face. He enjoyed going to classic car shows showing off his ’81 Lincoln Continental. Tom and Bette enjoyed sharing their life together with their family while enjoying daily mass, breakfast groups, taking walks together, enjoying Sunday drives throughout southern Minnesota and many dinners at their favorite restaurants. He also enjoyed sitting in his yard listening to old-time polka music!
Condolences
The family of Thomas “Tom” Anthony Furr has received the following condolences.
My prayers, love and sympathies. A great man of faith and friendship. Thank you for sharing him with us.
Father Jim Berning
Kevin, Sandra and family,
Tracy and I are so sorry for your loss. Know that your dad is with our Lord and the angels rejoice!
Thinking of your whole family and the wonderful memories of time spent with Uncle Tom. He was such a devoted father and man of high integrity. Reading some of the stories and memories posted on Facebook has been a nice way to know more about his life. We will not be able to attend but will send prayers your way. God bless.
Rob & Renee
What can I say at a time of so many emotions going through my mind… I am so grateful for knowing Tom all my life. He was a wonderful Godfather to me. He would always make me feel special in God’s eyes by remembering my Birthday every year. He was the host at my wedding, he said the Lord’s Prayer before the meal. What I will always remember was how much he loved his wife, BetteAnn, and his children.
So sorry for your loss of your loved one, Tom. Sending thoughts and prayers your way.
From your former neighbors on 48th St NW,
Jodi & Brian Ross, & Dorothy Stellpflug
Tom and his family were my Mom's neighbors for many, many years! Great neighbors, nice people, we missed seeing Tom and Betty in church, Our deepest sympathy, and condolences, to the family. I am so sorry to hear that Tom Passed away.
To Betty & all of Tom’s family & friends. We are sorry for your loss.
We all know Tom’s heart was golden, & his love of our Lord was an inspiration for all of us.
His passing is painful, & it is hard to know what to say. I have shared this story with others experiencing the pain of a deep loss. We hope it helps.
Many years ago, I was in Havant, England and was looking for a place to go to church on Sunday morning. Right next to the church (Built 1049 AD) was a very old Cemetery. I saw this quote on one of the gravestones. It touched my heart in its truth & seems appropriate to share it today.
Death leaves a heartache no one can heal. Love leaves a memory no one can steal. Let your love & memories sustain you at this difficult time.
God Bless you all,
Al & Yvonne Walz
Laurie and family,
Saddened to hear your Dad passed away. I wish I had met him, it seems he was a great gentleman of caring and Godly character.
Heartfelt condolences ..
John Mattern
So sorry to hear that you lost your dad. I enjoyed all your wonderful posts on face book.
May the angels welcome him to Paradise, and the Saints of God come out to greet him. Be comforted by our prayers and trust in God's grace and mercy.
We will not be able to attend the funeral due to work. We will keep you all in our prayers.
Jennifer and Bob
Our heartfelt sympathy to the entire Furr family. We loved seeing Tom at church and he always made an effort to say something to us. May he rest peacefully in Gods arms now
To the Yaucher family, I am so sorry for your loss. From the stories Patti would tell, Tom souned like a quick witted person. Patti you get that from him. A thing to be cherished for sure. Sending thoughts and prays to all.
Betty, Kevin, family- Our deepest condolences to you all, our thoughts and prayers go out to you all.
Hugs!
Tim, Mary, Helen
We say Goodbye till we meet in heaven. May our prayers speed him to the arms of the Lord and may his prayers for us continue till we meet again.