Thomas E. Petri

Thomas Eugene Petri (4/6/47), Tom, was welcomed into paradise by Jesus’ outstretched arms, and joined the company of all of his beloved passed family and friends on Saturday, September 5th at 79 years of age.

Following years of suffering from and courageously battling multiple ongoing chronic and emergent conditions, he found his voice one last time as he chose to tell his family that he no longer wished to fight.

He spent his final days surrounded by round-the-clock love, comfort, and care from those he loved the most - his family. His wife of 54 years, Susan Jane Petri (Sue) and 4 daughters, sons in law and grandkids. Laura Sue Gillen and her husband Jim and their sons, including namesake Thomas James (TJ) and Tyler. Diane Lynn (DeeDee) Kieber and Bill. Paula Ann Lambaere with husband John, and children Stella and Calvin. And the baby of the family, Jennifer Jo (Jenee) Petri-Swanson and husband Steve and their son Theodore (Theo).

Tom grew up, the youngest of 7 on a dairy farm in Humboldt, South Dakota. A devout Catholic from humble beginnings, he milked cows in the morning before going to school, shared 1 bedroom with all his brothers, and they used an outhouse even in the middle of South Dakota winter. Some of his fondest memories are of riding bike to meet the boys and play baseball on the field until the sunset, then returning home to indulge in his mother’s home cooked meals including fresh baked bread on the daily. (Which is still his favorite kind of meal.)

He met his wonderful wife and lifelong partner, Sue (Suzie-Q) in the Happy Chef parking lot near Mankato State University when he shuttled them back and forth between school and Humboldt, where Sue’s roommate was also going back home to visit.

They fell in love and built a beautiful life together.

Tom worked long, hard days as an inspector for the USDA while wife Sue stayed home with the kids, until they all were of school age. Together, they built a home, planned vacations, and spent countless hours making memories of fishing, playing cards, gardening, cooking, and celebrating life together.

According to Sue, he is an incredibly self-less man, “Even at 70 some years of age, I still get to be the spoiled only child I always was because he always put me first.” He put others first even in his final days.

Tom loved playing cards with all of his family and friends, and “cards is more than just luck” he’ll have you know. With a little squeeze on the shoulder, or a sock puppet on the hand as you talked on the phone, he had this way of teasing just enough to get a little rise out of you, but also letting you know that he noticed what you were doing and was glad that you were there.

He had the most beautiful way of letting you know that he held fondly to the memories of your lifetime together. “I’ll put YOU in a cage” he’d still say to his grandson, now in his teenage years to remind us all of the way they’d wrestle and play fight.

Or “1-2-3! You’re a beauty!” was a little rhyme he’d say while coming across one of us in the halls of our childhood home.

He may roll his eyes with a pretend little scoff as the women who surrounded him carried on with their stories or got distracted from the card game at hand to replenish our refreshments or tell another tale, but he was quick to offer a, “That’s okay…” with a warm and welcoming smile the moment we came back.

Dad, Grandpa, Husband, Friend. Tom, we love you with all of our hearts and souls and we will continue to look for your guidance and reminders in the nature that surrounds us that you so loved. Until we meet again.

Tom was preceded in death and now is enjoying his time with his parents Josephine and Edward, brothers Eddie, Ronnie, Robert, Johnny and sister Sis and is survived by his brother Jerry.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, September 10, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church in Faribault with Fr. Alex Marquette officiating. Interment will be held at the Maple Lawn Cemetery, Faribault.

Visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home & Crematory on Wednesday, September 9, 2026 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. and at the church on Thursday for one hour prior to services.