Thomas L. Molling, age 71, of Caledonia, Minn., passed away peacefully on March 5, 2024, with his family by his side after a courageous battle with cancer.
Tom was born May 14, 1952, in Caledonia Minn., to Genevieve and Lloyd Molling. He married Barbara Olson on October 7, 1978. Together they had four children: Peter, Laura, Adam, and Anne.
Tom attended St. Mary’s grade school, Caledonia Public High School, and graduated in 1970. He then went on to attend Winona Technical College. Tom worked for Mathy Construction Company until 1980. In 1990, he started working for the Houston County Highway Department as the Highway Maintenance Superintendent until he retired at age 65.
In the early 1980s, Tom and Barb bought the family farm in Mayville Township where he was a dedicated dairy and beef farmer. He involved his family daily with life on the farm and cherished the beautiful land he lived on. Farming was his lifelong passion, and he was thankful to be able to work alongside his lifelong friend Jim Jennings for many of those years.
Tom’s greatest joy was his friends and family. He loved spending time with them and sharing his many hobbies. He enjoyed being outdoors and many of his hobbies such as hunting, four-wheeling, snowmobiling and fishing allowed him to spend time in the places he loved the most. He took many trips to Canada and South Dakota fishing with his friend Danny Schwirtz. He also had a passion for grilling and enjoyed barbequing with his friends with the Crown Cookers.
When Tom wasn’t on the farm, he enjoyed relaxing at the family cabin in Hatfield, Wis. He loved taking the grandkids boating and enjoying a drink around the campfire. He treasured the relationships with his friends in Hatfield and all of the memories they made together.
He is survived by his loving wife Barb, of 45 years; children Peter (Amy) Molling, Laura (Shawn Weidling) Molling, Adam Molling and Anne Molling; grandchildren Dylan Meyer, Emma and Abigail Weidling, and Brayden and Carter Molling; sisters Jean Carlson (Jim Krenzke) and Dorothy (Jeff) Ranzenberger, and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Lloyd and Genevieve Molling.
Special thank you to the Caledonia Ambulance, Gundersen Health Systems doctors, nurses and staff for all the excellent and passionate care given to Tom and the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to: McCormick Funeral Home, Attn: Tom Molling, 205 E Main Street Caledonia, Minn. 55921. Memorials will be donated to a cause dear to the family’s heart.
A private burial and celebration of life per Tom’s wishes will be held at a later date.