Thomas Conner

Thomas Wayne Conner was born on June 21, 1936 in Thief River Falls, MN to Charles and Palma (Holmes) Conner. He attended schools in Leonard, Clearbrook and graduated from Crosby-Ironton High School in 1955. After high school, Tom set off to work on the Alaskan Railroad for 4 years. Then he enlisted in the United States Army, serving two years in Germany at the height of the conflict with the Soviet Union over German occupation. He continued his service as a member of the Army Reserves. During most of the 1960s, Tom worked for Coast to Coast in Golden Valley, MN. Tom married Alfie Baker in 1965. After a brief period working for the US Postal Service in Grand Rapids, Tom and Alfie settled in Alexandria in 1969. He was a Teamster who worked for Land O Lakes, picking up milk from family farms from 1969 to 1996. Tom enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, hunting, and playing tennis and golf. After his retirement, he enjoyed the company of his grandchildren. Tom died on Sunday, December 23, 2012 at the Veterans Home in Fergus Falls at the age of 76. He is preceded in death by his parents, "Chuck" and "Polly" Conner of Crosby, and brother, Ralph Conner of California. Tom is survived by his wife of 46 years, Alfie of Alexandria; two daughters, Robin (Darren) Golden of Nisswa and Connie (Sean) Beggin of Andover; five grandchildren, Seth, Alyssa and Ben Golden and Kaleigh and Brendan Beggin; two brothers, Alan Conner of Fountain Hills, AZ and Jim Conner of Diamond Springs, CA. A memorial service was held on Thursday, December 27, 2012 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Alexandria, with Reverend Eric Van Scharral officiating. Music was provided by organist, Susan Nelson and soloist, Ken Bakalyar. Inurnment was in Geneva Cemetery in Alexandria. Military Honors were provided by the Alexandria American Legion Post 87, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 936 and the Minnesota National Honor Guard. Honorary urn bearers were Tom's grandchildren, Seth, Alyssa, Ben, Kaleigh and Brendan. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria