Tom Rignell age 62 of Tracy passed away Monday, May 18, 2015 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 22 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tracy. Visitation is 4:00-8:00 p.m. Thursday at the Tracy Area Funeral Home with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Friday. Private burial is in Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com. Stephens Funeral Service – Tracy Area Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Thomas Bernard Rignell was born April 1, 1953 in Tracy, Minnesota to Paul and Betty (Carey) Rignell. He graduated from Tracy Public School in 1971 and from Southwest State College in Marshall in 1975 with a degree in physical education. On August 14, 1976 he was united in marriage to Cindy Shaw at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tracy. Together they made their home in Tracy until July 1994 when they built their own home on Lake Shetek. Tom worked as an insurance salesman most of his career. He also painted on the side. Tom coached both girl’s and boy’s basketball and spent many years officiating basketball. Tom and Cindy raised three boys and loved going to their activities in high school, college, and beyond. Tom was very active in community activities including Box Car Days Committee, Chamber of Commerce Board, Tracy Lions Club, Kiwanis, and Tracy Booster Club. He volunteered many hours all over town. Tom was an avid outdoorsman spending time with his kids hunting and fishing, and participating in sports with family members. There was no one tougher than Tom in the basketball game of “H-O-R-S-E”. He enjoyed gardening, golfing, and shaking dice with friends. Tom loved time with his family, wife, and grandchildren. He loved to smile and his laugh was distinct and infectious.
Tom is survived by his wife Cindy of 38 years; sons: Wade (Molly Zauhar) of St. Louis Park, Derek (Raftyn) of Marshall, and Taylor (Krista Van Dyk) of Sioux Falls, SD; grandchildren Rocco, Archer, and Quinn; his dog Daisy; siblings: Paulette (Wayne) Wojahn of Rochester and Tim (Kris) Rignell of La Crescent; and many other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.
Cindy and boys,
So very sorry to hear of Tom’s illness and passing. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Jean
Littleton CO
My condolences to family Tom was good people
RIP, Tom; your fellow Lions will miss you.
Such a great man who will be truly missed by his family & community. May your minds & hearts be filled with treasured memories. Our deepest sympathies during this sad time.
Sincerely,
Paul & Sarah Sorensen (friends of Wade/Molly Zauhar)
Cindy – I was saddened to read the news of Tom’s passing on the Marshall Independent website and my heart goes out to you and your family. You guys obviously had a really good marriage—-38 years!—-and I’m sure that you shared a lot of great memories and good times. I first met Tom when I played against him in high school but then I got to know him playing basketball at Southwest. He was a fierce competitor, a hard worker with an upbeat attitude, a team player and most of all he was a really, really good guy. I really liked Tom; everybody liked him. I hope that your family and faith give you comfort at this time.
Cindy and boys:Tim & Kris;
Sorry to hear of Tom’s passing. Thoughts and prayers for you all.
Ron Cote
Luverne,MN
I met Tom at an insurance meeting when I first got started in the business. I always liked visiting with him at meetings and was saddened to hear of his illness and now his passing. He was a great guy and will be missed.
You have my sympathy during this difficult time.
Joe Plaetz
Lucan, MN
Cindy, I’m so sorry to hear of your devastating loss. You have my deepest heartfelt sympathy. Keeping you in my prayers.
Deb Enderson
Cindy and Family,
So sorry and shocked to hear about the passing of Tom. I had recently heard from the Landman’s that Tom had been ill and was at the Mayo clinic in Rochester awaiting a transplant. It seems that the two of you have been together as a couple for as long as I can remember. Tom and Cindy, Cindy and Tom, you always seemed to very happy and a good fit for each other. I will always remember Tom as a really caring person and one of the good guys, a great teammate, a great attitude and that happy go lucky laugh. Unfortunately, I just heard of his passing this Saturday AM and will be unable to attend the services, but I wanted to let you all know that we are thinking of you here in Fargo. God Bless to all of you.
Cindy and boys,
Tom was a fine baseball teammate with a great sense of humor and a kind heart. I liked him very, very much. And so did everybody else. I am so saddened by this news.
Scott Mansch
Great Falls, Montana
Cindy and family
Very sorry to hear of your loss of Tom. I was a baseball teammate of Tom’s at Southwest. My thoughts and deep sympathy go out to you all.
Brian Lucker
Norwood Young America, MN
Cindy and family. I remember Tom so well in school as being the person who never looked down on a person but treated them with respect. I will always remember he had a smile on his face and gave you the feeling and you were his friend no matter what grade you were in or who you were.Cindy you married a great man that we will all miss very much and Cindy I would like you to know that I have told my son and wife many time’s of the brother’s Tim and Tom and how nice they were to my brother and sister and I.I told my son how Tim showed me how to hold a bat in PeeWee baseball it is something that will always be with me. Cindy something I hold very dear to my heart is that if you tell another person about others that you care about they will live on forever in memory of those you tell as they are passed on to the memory others . Thomas C Kirk , Vancouver Wa. And Bohol Inland Philippines
Dear Cindy and family,
We’re saddened to hear about Tom. We remember his infectious great attitude and how both of you were such a great couple.
Gordon & Kathy von Ahsen
Harlan, Iowa