Thomas Manske, longtime resident of Rochester and Oronoco, died Sunday, April 10, 2011, at Saint Marys Hospital. He was 79 years old.
He was born July 12, 1931, in Minneapolis, to Reinhardt and May (Pettit) Manske. Tom grew up in Minneapolis and graduated from Patrick Henry High School in 1950 and attended St. Cloud State University. Tom served in the Air Force and was stationed in North Africa during the Korean War. Tom worked for Frito-Lay for more than 30 years and retired as District Manager. He married Donna Lou Larson in 1974.
Tom enjoyed traveling. He and Donna adventured together across the United States, Europe, Mexico, and Central and South America. Tom was an avid golfer, who also enjoyed working in his yard, and spending time with family at their home overlooking the Zumbro River Valley. More than anything, he loved being a dad and a grandpa to his children and grandchildren.
Tom had four children. He and Donna had one daughter, Jill (Jorge) Azocar of St. Paul; and three children from a previous marriage, Scott Manske of Shoreview, Shawn (Carla) Manske of Gilbert, Ariz., and Staci Manske of Santa Barbara, Calif. Scott passed away Monday, April 11, 2011, just hours after Tom. They were able to see each other just a few days prior to say goodbye. He also had five grandchildren, Michele Manske of Minneapolis, Taylor and Kori Manske of Gilbert, Ariz., and Mia and Gabriela Azocar of Saint Paul. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Barbara and Connie, and brother Don.
A memorial service celebrating Tom’s life will be held Saturday, April 16, 2011, at 11 a.m. at Zumbro Lutheran Church, 624 3rd Ave S.W. in Rochester. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.
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Tom requested his remains be used for Mayo Clinic research.
Internment will be held at a later date at Fort Snelling Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the National Parkinson Foundation Minnesota (NPFM) or Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
