Thomas Calvin Eckdahl

Thomas Calvin Eckdahl was born June 26th, 1964, to Raymond and Eva Lee (Devinney) Eckdahl in Watertown, MN. He grew up on a dairy farm outside of Maple Plain, MN, the 7th of 8 children. He graduated from Mound West Tonka High School in 1982, and the U of M, Waseca in 1984 where he studied Dairy Management. Following graduation, he worked on Raylore Farm in Hutchinson, MN. From there, he did missions work in the Philippines for two and a half years. After he came back to the states he moved to Rochester, MN where he met his wife, Tracy. They were married on March 28th, 1992, at Bethel Free Church in Fairmont, MN. They lived in multiple different locations before settling at Chester Woods Park where they raised their family.

Tom worked for the Olmsted County Parks Department for 32 years, spending 25 years as the manager of Chester Woods Park. Over the years he helped orchestrate many changes such as the addition of camper cabins, the Legacy Trail, and the amphitheater. He enjoyed being involved with the annual Disabled Veterans Hunt, coordinating controlled prairie burns, and picking parsnip with his coworkers on his birthday.

Tom was most at home in the outdoors where he would tend his gardens, nap in his deer stand, and go on nature walks with his grandchildren. He enjoyed canning his produce, working at his brother’s orchard, camping, fishing, and taking naps.

Tom was involved in his church his whole life, serving as a Deacon and leading Bible study groups, men’s prayer breakfasts, and missions committees. He was outspoken about his faith, sharing the gospel with everyone he met.

Tom is survived by his father, Raymond Eckdahl, his wife of nearly 32 years, Tracy Eckdahl, children Abbie (Matt) Kempinger of Eyota, Andrew (Alyssa) Eckdahl of Chatfield, and Isaac Eckdahl of Eyota; 5 grandchildren, Luke, Ezra, Owen, Ophelia, and Isla. He was also survived by his siblings, Beth (Lyle) Hosek, Tim (Sarah) Eckdahl, Lynette (Alex) Weir, Steve (Patty) Eckdahl, Susan (Mark) Kroontke, Mary (Kevin) Bauman, and Karen (Gregg) Laurence; father and mother-in-law, brothers and sisters-in-law; many, many nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends. He is proceeded in death by his mother, Eva Lee Eckdahl.

Tom’s presence is bitterly missed but his legacy lives in on every life that he touched. We look forward to being reunited with him in eternity, as we have faith that he is with his Savior now.

Funeral services are Friday, November 3, 2023, 11 a.m. at the Plainview Church of Christ with Pastor Greg Devries officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery, Eyota. Visitation is Thursday, 5-8 p.m. at Schad & Zabel Funeral Home in Plainview and one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday,

Schad & Zabel Funeral Home in Plainview are assisting with the arrangements.

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