Walther, Thomas R., age 89, passed away on July 9, 2025, at Mala Strana in New Prague after a long battle with metastatic prostate cancer. He is survived by his son, John (Brenda) and daughter, Janice; granddaughters, Arianna, Maya, Renata; sister-in-law, Nancy.
Tom grew up in Minneapolis and was the youngest of four children. He attended Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis and went on to earn a bachelor's degree in business from the University of Minnesota. After college, he served as a Specialist in the Army.
Tom often spoke of the close relationship he had with his dad, who passed away when Tom was a child. Every time Tom picked up a tool, it would bring back memories of the countless hours the two of them spent tinkering and working on projects in the basement of his childhood home. He loved his dad and never stopped missing him. He later built memories with his own children as he spent time with them in his basement workshop working on projects with them when they were young, including big projects like the cabin he built in their backyard for his kids to play in to the small projects, like the innumerable pinewood derby cars they made.
Tom's hero was his Uncle Johnny. Johnny was larger than life and a steady force in Tom's life after his father died. Johnny provided Tom with love, guidance and support throughout his childhood and as an adult. Johnny and his wife, Elaine, also showed Tom a great example of how loving and supportive a couple can be together.
Tom loved to sing and enjoyed being in choirs at school and church. He fondly remembered singing in a choir performance at Orchestra Hall one year. Growing up, he and his family used to sit on their porch and sing together during thunderstorms. He said those moments were some of his favorites from his childhood. He later tried to get his wife and kids to do that as well but getting them to agree to go outside during a storm just wasn't meant to be. Tom also enjoyed photography and loved to learn about history.
Tom worked for IDS Financial Services as a Systems Analyst for 35 years in downtown Minneapolis. He was very proud of his company and his accomplishments while there but he would tell you that the best thing that came from his time at IDS were the lasting friendships he developed there. He most especially treasured his friend, Paul Horvath, who he loved like a brother, and has greatly missed since his passing in 2020.
Tom met his wife, Carole, on a blind date and says he knew immediately that she was the one but admitted that it took some time and convincing for her to feel the same. He was amazed and humbled when she said yes when he later proposed to her. He felt he was doubly blessed, because her parents viewed him as a son and he loved them very much in return. That blind date turned in a 50-year marriage during which the two of them spent only one night apart. They were true partners in life, and losing Carole to pancreatic cancer in 2013 devastated him.
Like many men of his generation, when his kids were growing up, Tom's focus was on providing for his family as his way to show his love for them. He later looked back at that time and wished he'd paused more to enjoy those small moments that pass by all too quickly before children are grown.
Tom would tell you that his greatest joy in life, and the thing he would most like to be remembered for, is being "Poppy" to his granddaughter, Arianna. They had an incredibly close relationship, and he was more than her grandpa; he was not only like a dad to her but also her friend, champion and comforter. He liked to share how once when Arianna was young, she woke her mom, Janice, up in the middle of the night and told her she had to call her Poppy immediately because she just loved him so much that she had to tell him right then, so he knew her love for him was bigger than the universe. Tom said that it was the best wake-up call he ever received. It's very fitting that the last thing Tom said was "My Girl", when hearing that Arianna loved her Poppy so much, she just needed him to know it right then.
Tom expressed to his daughter that he didn't feel there should be a memorial service for him because he said that he'd outlived his siblings and most of his friends, and the few who remained would find it difficult to get there due to health or distance. But his daughter and granddaughter believe that his life should be celebrated, whether they are the only two there and no others come, because he meant the world to them and he touched the lives of others while he was here. He loved his town and the people in it and it matters that he was here and now he's gone.
A Memorial Celebration of Life will be held Friday, August 8, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Bruzek Funeral Home with Pastor John Stephens officiating. Friends can gather from 1-2 PM. Burial will occur at Czech National Cemetery in New Prague where military rites will be conducted by the New Prague Area Veterans Honor Guard.
Janice would like to say to Tom, "I love you, Dad. I'll remember all the things you taught me and all of our small and big moments together: Like the times we would cook together, the projects we did together, the discussions we had on so many subjects, that time you tried to teach me how to use an axe and the head flew off… twice (I love how you told me that was just a demonstration in safety and what not to do). I'm going to miss hearing you tell me, "Good morning, Honey" and your goodnight texts with so many emojis that I'm sure you didn't know what half of them meant. Okay, confession time… you know all those text bombs you sent to me every day like I was your own personal Twitter where you shared everything you ate, did, watched or thought throughout the day? Yeah, I really did mute you sometimes (lol). Another confession? I really miss those texts, Dad. And I really miss you."
Janice and Arianna would like to thank all the staff at Mayo Clinic, Mala Strana and St. Croix Hospice for your wonderful care of Tom.
