Thomas Anthony Stich

Thomas Anthony Stich was born on December 11, 1960 in St. Paul, Minnesota to Cletus (Bud) and Gloria (Knutson) Stich. He was the 8th of 11 children they would have together. Shortly after his birth, the Stich family moved to rural Rush City, where they would remain for the next four decades. Tom attended Rush City Schools and was a graduate of Rush City High School. In 1977, Tom joined the work force and held several jobs, always willing to perform whatever task was required of him. He worked construction jobs, learning many trades, including concrete work, construction, and demolition. In the mid 1980’s, Tom went to work for his brother Mike at All Fire Test, performing hydrotesting and delivery duties. In the late 1980’s and into the 1990’s, Tom worked for several different construction firms working with his hands to complete any job that was assigned to him. In 1996, Tom joined labor union, Local No.132. He worked many different construction jobs for various large contractors in the area. In 2003, Tom was assigned to work exclusively for Excel Energy’s “Special Construction” unit. For the past eight years, Tom has been assigned to various Excel plants in Minnesota. The plants would shut down for clean up, and along with fellow workers, Tom would prepare these plants for continued service or demolition. His duties varied and he welcomed whatever challenges he faced in his job. Tom was very close to his family and friends. He enjoyed being around people and made friends easily with his outgoing personality and his sense of humor. Although Tom didn’t drink, he enjoyed hanging out at his brother John’s bars and at his friend Buzzy’s bar, assisting them. Tom made many friends at these establishments and impacted the lives of the employees and customers through conversation and unselfish acts he performed. Tom was always there to listen and offer unbiased advice and if they needed help, Tom was there with his tools, to assist in any way possible. Tom loved his family. Twenty-five years ago, Tom and his first wife Robbi welcomed their son Jeremy into the world. Jeremy has now grown into a fine young man, and Tom was very proud of the man his son has become. Tom always talked about Jeremy and his wife Jacki, and their two young children, his “grand brats”, Heidi Marie and Urijah Thomas. He would try his hardest to act stern and talk tough around Heidi and Urijah, but they saw right through him, recognizing his soft-heartedness. Tom remarried and he and his second wife, Leslie, had two sons – Jesse and Justin. Fourteen years ago, Skye Nichole was born into Tom’s life. Tom loved having his daughter Skye. On August 3, 2002, Tom married his third wife, Debbie. He had really felt that he had finally met his “soul mate”. They lived in South St. Paul for over a year, before they separated, and eventually divorced. Earlier this year Tom and Debbie started talking again and eventually started dating. Most recently they had begun making plans to build a future together. Tom was very involved in karaoke. He would provide karaoke for others in many venues and was well known for his “performance” and his trademark red bandana and sun glasses. Although Tom was a great singer, he preferred to provide music for others to sing with. Tom was also a movie buff and his movie collection rivals Blockbuster. On August 10, 2011, Tom was involved in a work-related accident near Granite Falls, Minnesota that cost him his life. Tom is survived by his son Jeremy (Jacki) Stich of Pine City, MN; daughter Skye Stich of North Branch, MN; grandchildren: Heidi and Urijah; brothers and sisters: Bill (Linda) Stich of Elmira, OR, Bob Stich of Rush City, Mike (Mary) Stich of Wyoming, MN, Marilyn (Dan) Thielmann of Morres Hill, IN, Patrick Stich of Lindstrom, MN, Cathy Hall of Purcell OK, John Stich of Burnsville, MN, Mary (Robert) Eaton of Willow River, MN; Brother-in-law: Charles Hebert of Rush City; soul mate: Deborah Stich; many nieces and nephews. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Cletus “Bud” and Gloria Stich, sister Susie Hebert, brothers Jim Stich and Jim Tiseth, two infant siblings, and nephews Scotty Hebert and Danny Thielmann, Jr. Father Edwin Savundra will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Rush City. Music will be provided by organist Dianne Kirchberg and soloist Paula Belland. Casket Bearers will be Todd Johnston, Scott (Buzzy) Mell, John Mell, Nehemiah Giller, Scott Mihm, Ray Benolken. Interment will be in the Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Rush City. Arrangements were entrusted to the Funeral and Cremation Service *Olson Chapel* Rush City, Minnesota. www.funeralandcremationservice.com