Thomas Bechtel
Thomas “Tom” H. Bechtel, age 90, of Caledonia, MN passed away June 3, 2025. A Celebration of Life will be held from 4-6 p.m. Friday, June 13 at the New Albin Town Hall, located behind the bank. Burial with military honors will take place at a later date in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, New Albin.
Tom was born January 14, 1935, in Lansing, the son of Theodore and Harriet (Peterson) Bechtel. Tom graduated from high school in 1950. He served in the United States Army in Korea in 1955, until he was honorably discharged in 1957. He married Mary Whalen June 17, 1961, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, New Albin.
Tom, along with his wife, raised eight children on their farm in Minnesota, near New Albin, and other farms near Lansing. As a 50-plus year lifetime farmer, he raised dairy cattle and beef cattle, along with crops of corn, alfalfa and soybeans. Tom enjoyed traveling between his farms, checking on his cattle, and spending time on his cherished red bench at the point. Tom had a gift of talking, telling stories and meeting new people to see where they were from.
He was proud of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and cherished his visits with them. He was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, New Albin, and the VFW in New Albin. He completely enjoyed his time at the table of knowledge at the High Chaparral in New Albin.
Survivors include his children, John of Lansing, Sue (Bob Harris) Snell of New Albin, Rose (Bill) Blake of Waukon, Jim (Crystle) of Caledonia, MN, Paula (Stacy Gramlich) Bolstad of Ferryville, WI, and Joel (Tina) of LaCrescent, MN; his former daughter-in-law, Crystal Schulte of Dorchester; 18 grandchildren, Luke, Kayla, Lee, Amber, Kody, Jade, Zachary, Karli, Madison, Thomas, Jordan, Samantha, Cassaundra, Kristina, Sierra, Kaitlyn, Mitchell, and Kyle; and 12 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; his sons, Jerry and Tim Bechtel; and his brother, Jerry Bechtel.
McCormick Funeral Home, Caledonia, MN is assisting the family. Online condolences may be left at mccormickfuneralhome.net.
