Thomas Fred Schmiesing, 70, died December 17, 2022, at Walker Methodist Center, Minneapolis.

A private family burial service will be held at a later date, with interment at Mt. Pisa, Nora Church, Hanska, Minnesota. We will celebrate Tom's life by memories and memorials given in his memory to:  Nora Church, NAMI, Alzheimer's Association, donor's choice.  Minnesota Valley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Tom Schmiesing was born November 4, 1952, in New Ulm, Minnesota, to Virgil and Arline (Blomquist) Schmiesing.  He grew up on the Schmiesing farm seven miles west of Hanska. Tom, active in 4-H, was "safety king" as a little boy.  His interview question was, "What would you do if your French fryer caught on fire?"  Little Tom answered, "I would take her outside and roll her in the grass!"  He won!  He was a camp counselor and a boy scout.  He and his siblings had great times growing up on the farm together.  Christmas was extra special, with Virgil coming from the barn as Santa after chores.  The table was laden with turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, rice, lefse, and traditional Scandinavian and German foods.  Arline was sure to have a special gift wrapped for each child.  One of Tom's most special Christmas gifts was in 1969.  He got a moss green sweater with suede leather trim and actually wrote a school paper about this favorite gift. He was so excited to give special gifts to each of his nieces and nephews for Christmas the year he got his first paying job.  Tom enjoyed life on the farm, helping with farming, especially plowing and driving the tractor.

He was active in chorus and band while attending Hanska Public School, then going on to high school at New Ulm Public School, graduating in 1971. Tom went to Mankato State College, graduating with a degree in accounting.  His family celebrated his 30th birthday with him at his Burnsville apartment in 1982.  Tom greatly enjoyed his work as an accountant.  We have many thoughtful letters from Tom through the years.

Mental illness challenged Tom's life and eventually took his ability to do his accounting job. He lived in various group homes in Mankato and New Ulm, and had apartments in the Cities.  Mental illness is not a straight road, but is filled with bumps, curves, and challenges. Tom eventually moved to Andrew Residence in Minneapolis, where he lived for many years. Tom's favorite spot at Andrew was the outdoor patio where he could enjoy coffee, cigarettes, and time with friends.  His siblings spent many patio visits with him there, where he often reminisced about family, Mom and Dad, and life on the farm.  In 2021, after a serious illness, Tom was moved to Walker Methodist Center, where he was content and thankful for his very own room and the kindness of the staff there.

Tom was independent, strong willed, courageous, and kind. He faced the challenges of his life with strength and grace, accepting what he just could not change. He was content and happy with his life at Andrew, and often expressed that he was happy there and felt it was a good home for him.  He accepted the move to Walker Methodist center with grace, and once again expressed gratefulness for his new home…'a comfort to his entire family.

Tom is survived by Sisters-Sue (Duane) Leske, Stephanie (Doug) Kolbe, Linda (Larry) Kraus, Kim (Matt) White, Brothers-Mark (Karee), Lane (Jody), Scott (Tracey) Schmiesing, brother-in-law, Mike Peppin, many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Virgil and Arline (Blomquist) Schmiesing, sister, Gretchen Peppin, niece, Hannah Bauer, brother-in-law, Terry Locher, grandparents Fred & Mary (Frederickson) Schmiesing and Algot & Evelyn (Ouren) Blomquist.