Thomas (Tom) Edward Wisdorf

Thomas Edward Wisdorf was born on March 21, 1945 in Fulda, to Henry and Marie (Fuch) Wisdorf. Tom grew up mostly in the Fulda area, but eventually moved with his family to Hanley Falls, where he graduated from Hanley Falls High School. In 1965, Tom was drafted into the United States Army and served 2 years at the Fort Leonard Wood Army Base in Missouri. During that time, Tom married his high school sweetheart, Rose Anundson, at St. Isadore Catholic Church in Clarkfield. They returned to Fort Leonard Wood, and a year later their son Craig was born in Missouri. Their daughter Tara was born 5 years later in Minnesota. Tom called Cottonwood his home for the final 35 years of his life. After Tom’s service in the army, he returned with his family to Minnesota to start a lifetime of entrepreneurship including barbering for over 30 years. Tom always worked hard and he soon realized that he would prefer working for himself. Tom was a successful owner and operator of several business including several barber shops, a gas station and cafe, an auto body shop, and his favorite business of owning and operating his food truck. Tom made many friends during the 20 years of serving food at local fairs and festivals in the area. Tom never tired of hearing the many customer compliments he received from serving his “Oompah Tacos”. In retirement, Tom still enjoyed seasonal work for the Agronomy Center in Cottonwood. But his extra time was often filled with another lifetime passion – travel. During their 51 years together, Tom and Rose had many amazing adventures driving around the country, exploring and experiencing all the beauty that is America. Some of their more memorable road trips included traveling to Alaska, Florida, California, and the recent recurring trips to Alabama and Arizona to escape Minnesota for a few weeks during the winter. Tom loved life. He loved playing cards, geocaching, and telling jokes. He worked hard, had a great sense of humor and most of all, he loved spending time with family and friends. But the special place he kept in his heart for his granddaughters, Jada and Shamita, was exceedingly large. Tom and Rose would drive for hours just to read books and play games with these 2 special granddaughters. They loved to take the granddaughters to a county fair or to visit a petting zoo. There was always fun, activity, and laughter when Grandpa came to visit. Tom died on Wednesday, October 11, 2017 at the University of Minnesota Hospital in Minneapolis, due to complications with an abdominal aortic aneurism. He is survived by his wife, Rose of Cottonwood; son Craig Wisdorf of Cottage Grove; daughter Tara (and Shravan) Iyer of Chisago City; granddaughters Jada Wisdorf of Chisago City and Shamita Iyer of Chisago City; siblings Bob (and Sandy) Wisdorf of Trulock, California, Mary Koob of Lakefield, Pat Terrell of Port Orange, Florida, Monica (and Conrad) Fink of Los Alamos, New Mexico, Katie (and Dave) Barkeim of Alexandria, Steve (and Sharon) Wisdorf of Lake City, Lilly (and Gene) Miller of Luverne, Anne (and Mark) Miller of Eden Prairie, Janie (and Hanford) Christensen of Corpus Christi, Texas, and Tim (and Jill) Wisdorf of Cheyenne, Wyoming; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and infant brother Michael.