Lawrence 'Larry' Tomes
d. February 21, 2017
Lawrence David Tomes, 90, died Tuesday, February 21 at home on his farm near Maynard surrounded by family after a brief battle with cancer. Larry was born August 10, 1926 in Graceville, MN to Lue and Rose (Condon) Tomes. He grew up in Beardsley and later attended Morris Agricultural High School. He joined the Navy in April, 1951.
Larry married Rita O’Malley on January 31, 1952 at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Olivia, MN. Their newlywed years were spent at Great Lakes Naval Base in Waukegan, Illinois and then on to naval bases in Louisiana, North Carolina and Virginia. From there they moved to a farm near Sedan, MN in 1955 where they raised beef and dairy cattle. In 1964, the family moved to Portland, OR where Larry worked as a carpenter. Not caring for city life, they returned to Minnesota in 1966. They bought their farm near Maynard where they spent the rest of their years and raised their family. They were blessed with three sons and five daughters.
Larry loved to play baseball and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He farmed and raised dairy and beef cattle. In the early 70’s he bought shares in the Southern Minnesota Beet Cooperative. When he quit milking, they were able to do more camping. After retiring from farming, he continued to help his son with farm work. Rita and he did some traveling and spent part of the winter down south for several years. He took over the garden work when Rita was no longer able due to her health. All the tasks she once did, he took over - cooking, laundry, canning and household chores. He enjoyed golfing, especially with the great group of friends he made at the Raymond golf course. Before Rita died in 2012, they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.
Larry was a hard worker and a dear and loving husband, father and grandfather. His family and friends could not have had a better example of how to live a Christian life and how to be kind to your neighbor. Larry was a member of St. Clara Catholic Church, the American Legion and the Knights of Columbus.
Larry is survived by his sons, Kevin Tomes (Rich Anderson) of St. Paul, David (Lu) Tomes of Montevideo, daughters, Cathy (John) Bristle of Maynard, Theresa (John) Weitendorf of Wilmington, IL, Becky (Kevin) Grimm of Maynard, Mary (Tom) Grefe of Nicollet, Sharon (Jay) Roberts of Watertown, SD, daughter in law, Sue (Tomes) Stavne of Maynard. He is also survived by 25 grandchildren and 34 great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Larry was preceded in death by his wife, Rita, son, Kurt, in 1978, his parents, Lue and Rose, father and mother in law, Charles and Violet O’Malley, brothers, Chet and Louis (Buddy), sister, Rosemarie, brother and sisters in law, Caroline Tomes, Al and Pat O’Malley, Bill and Millie O’Malley, Marvin and Molly O’Malley.
The family would like to thank Dr. Roiseland and all the staff at Rice Memorial Hospital, the Cancer Center, and the hospice program from Willmar for their loving care for their parents over the years. Memorials can be made to St. Clara Catholic Church, the Rice Memorial Hospice program or a charity of your choice.
Larry married Rita O’Malley on January 31, 1952 at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Olivia, MN. Their newlywed years were spent at Great Lakes Naval Base in Waukegan, Illinois and then on to naval bases in Louisiana, North Carolina and Virginia. From there they moved to a farm near Sedan, MN in 1955 where they raised beef and dairy cattle. In 1964, the family moved to Portland, OR where Larry worked as a carpenter. Not caring for city life, they returned to Minnesota in 1966. They bought their farm near Maynard where they spent the rest of their years and raised their family. They were blessed with three sons and five daughters.
Larry loved to play baseball and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He farmed and raised dairy and beef cattle. In the early 70’s he bought shares in the Southern Minnesota Beet Cooperative. When he quit milking, they were able to do more camping. After retiring from farming, he continued to help his son with farm work. Rita and he did some traveling and spent part of the winter down south for several years. He took over the garden work when Rita was no longer able due to her health. All the tasks she once did, he took over - cooking, laundry, canning and household chores. He enjoyed golfing, especially with the great group of friends he made at the Raymond golf course. Before Rita died in 2012, they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.
Larry was a hard worker and a dear and loving husband, father and grandfather. His family and friends could not have had a better example of how to live a Christian life and how to be kind to your neighbor. Larry was a member of St. Clara Catholic Church, the American Legion and the Knights of Columbus.
Larry is survived by his sons, Kevin Tomes (Rich Anderson) of St. Paul, David (Lu) Tomes of Montevideo, daughters, Cathy (John) Bristle of Maynard, Theresa (John) Weitendorf of Wilmington, IL, Becky (Kevin) Grimm of Maynard, Mary (Tom) Grefe of Nicollet, Sharon (Jay) Roberts of Watertown, SD, daughter in law, Sue (Tomes) Stavne of Maynard. He is also survived by 25 grandchildren and 34 great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Larry was preceded in death by his wife, Rita, son, Kurt, in 1978, his parents, Lue and Rose, father and mother in law, Charles and Violet O’Malley, brothers, Chet and Louis (Buddy), sister, Rosemarie, brother and sisters in law, Caroline Tomes, Al and Pat O’Malley, Bill and Millie O’Malley, Marvin and Molly O’Malley.
The family would like to thank Dr. Roiseland and all the staff at Rice Memorial Hospital, the Cancer Center, and the hospice program from Willmar for their loving care for their parents over the years. Memorials can be made to St. Clara Catholic Church, the Rice Memorial Hospice program or a charity of your choice.
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