Thomas Dale Vedell

Thomas Dale Vedell, 88, of Hokah died on Friday, February 9, 2024 at Valley View Health Care - Rehab, Houston, MN, under the care of St. Croix Hospice.

Thomas Dale Vedell was born in Gary, Indiana on January 21, 1936, to Elmer and Myrtle (Finnstrom) Vedell.  Thomas was baptized and confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Chesterton, IN.  He graduated from Chesterton High School in 1953.  He attended Valparaiso University and graduated with a degree in accounting.  From 1960-1962, he served in the United States Army at Fort Leonard Wood, MO.

Tom married Marilyn Carlson on June 22, 1963 at the Augsburg Lutheran Church in Porter, IN. They spent 54 joyful years together before Marilyn’s death in 2017.

In his career, Thomas worked with computers at McGill Manufacturing in Valparaiso, IN.  Later, in the Minnesota metro area for some time. Eventually he was an instructor at Western Wisconsin Technical College for 26 years teaching computer technology.

Since his teenage years Tom enjoyed architecture and was seen drawing detailed sketches of floor plans.  He eventually designed the house that he built in bluffs near La Crescent, MN. He lived there for 40 years and it is where he and Marilyn raised their three children. Tom was a member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in La Crescent, MN where he spent some time as president of the congregation and sang in the choir. In his life, Thomas enjoyed playing the clarinet, camping, woodworking, cabinetry, photography, and listening to jazz music.  He loved a good game of Farkel, Yahtzee, and Solitaire.

Thomas was preceded in death by his wife Marilyn Vedell, infant daughter Sharan Vedell, son Kenneth Vedell, his parents Elmer and Myrtle Vedell, brother John Vedell, sister Arlene Luke, sister-in-law Barbara (Highly) Vedell, brother-in-law Ralph Luke, nephews Sean Vedell and Peter Vedell.

Thomas is survived by daughters Kristina Vedell and Katrina Vedell and grandson Brendan, brother Robert (Janet) Vedell, sister-in-law Dorothy Crose, several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 9, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, La Crescent, MN. Visitation will be held one hour prior at the church. Burial will follow the service at Prospect Hill Cemetery, La Crescent.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred and will be donated in Tom’s memory. Online guestbook may be signed at www.schumacher-kish.com.