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CHIEF THOMAS M. RAGNAR, 69 ROCKFORD - Thomas M. Ragnar, 69, of Rockford, died Friday, Jan. 11, 2013, in Rockford Memorial Hospital. Born Oct. 18, 1943, in Rockford; the son of the late Harry and Pauline (Murray) Ragnar. On Aug. 2, 1964, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Vickie Lee Stanaitis. He worked for 30 years in the purchasing departments of Roper Whitney and Ingersoll Milling Machine. Tom was passionate about serving his community. He was elected Owen Township Clerk for 30 years, served as an usher at Faith Center for 30 years, and spent 49 years as a volunteer firefighter, EMT, and chief of the Northwest Fire Protection District. He touched many lives and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. When he wasn't responding to fire and accident calls, Tom spent his time with his family, working on his model railroad collection, woodworking, and fixing Jeeps. He was a 32nd degree Mason. He is survived by his loving wife, Vickie; children, Thomas (Ann) Ragnar, Timothy (Dawn) Ragnar and Susan (Kenneth) Coleman; grandchildren, Katherine Ragnar, Michael, Nicole, Jay and Kenny Coleman, and Shireah and Cole Ragnar; great-grandchildren, Maliyah, Jamarco, Wayne Jr., Athavion and Michael Jr.; sister, Barbara (David) Tanaglia; nieces, Stina and Anna Tanaglia; and special friends, Rick and Sandy Hamaker of Rockford and Ray and Debbie Kirn of Zeeland, Mich. Service at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 14, in Faith Center, 4721 S. Main St., with the Rev. Don Lyon officiating. Burial in Willwood Burial Park. Visitation from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 13, in Olson Funeral & Cremation Services Ltd., North Main Chapel, 2811 N. Main St. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Tom's name to the Northwest Fire Protection District, 3222 N. Central Ave., Rockford, IL 61101; or Faith Center. To share a memory or condolence, visit olsonfh.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Still miss you, years later.
Katie
Grandchild
November 17, 2020
Vicki and family,
I enjoyed talking with Tom at his appointments, my thoughts and prayers go out to you. Dawn Vernon
February 5, 2013
Vickie, Tom and family. We are so sorry to hear of Tom Sr.'s passing. Our thoughts are with all of you at this sad time.
Cliff & Vicki Crain
January 19, 2013
Vicki and family,
So sorry for your loss ! Tom was a wonderful person, he will be deeply missed ! Love and Prayers ~
Al & Jean Stout
January 18, 2013
So sorry of Tom Sr. Passing.
He was a great person!
I am glad I got to know him over the years an always enjoyed working with him an Tom jr. On Fire Dept. projects.
I will miss his humor an friendship.
Rest in piece Tom!
Tim Wirfs
January 18, 2013
Tom was alot of fun to work with. He was a tough guy on the outside but soft on the inside. I will always remember him fondly.
Janice Burdick
Janice Burdick
January 16, 2013
Dear Vicki and family, so sorry for your loss. Tom was a great guy and will be truly missed! Known the two of you forever.
Colleen Zernechel
January 15, 2013
Ragnar Family,
I nerw Tom for a long, long time, since our school days. He was truely one of the good guys and he will be missed. The world around him is a better place because of him. He always did his best to see to that. My sincerest sympathies.
David Allen, Rockford Fire, retired.
David Allen
January 15, 2013
I AM SORRY TO HEAR OF TOMMY PASSING -
I TALKED TO HIM FOR MANY YEARS FROM STEINER ELECTRIC CO, BARKER ROCKFORD CO AND
ROCKFORD INDUSTRIAL WELDING CO. I WILL
MISS HIM. REST IN PEACE TOM.
VALERIE RILL
January 14, 2013
Dear Ragnar Family:
Please accept my sincere condolences for your loss. I pray that Tom's goodness and deeds bring you peace now and joy in your hearts as time moves forward. I also believe that Tom's greatest attributes live on in his son Tim. Rest in love.
Koren Manley-Dahlberg
January 14, 2013
Dear Barb,Vicki and Family,
So sorry to hear of Tom's passing, he was such a kind and gentle man. I hope all the fond memories will help you at this difficult time. Sending many hugs.
Mike and Peg Howarth Numbers
January 14, 2013
So sorry to hear the news, we had a lot of great memories, our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Linda Zaugg Addotta
January 14, 2013
My deepest sympathies to you as you travel this road. I so enjoyed working with Tom. He was so funny and very, very kind. I am sorry for your loss.
Sue Slothower
January 14, 2013
TO THE RAGNAR FAMILY,
WORDS CAN NOT BEGIN TO FILL YOUR LOSS OF TOM,HE WAS GREAT FRIEND AND I ALWAYS ADMIRED HIM AS A CHIEF AND A FIREFIGHTER.WE HAD SOME GREAT TIMES OVER THE YEARS,CORN BOILS AND WATER FIGHTS.............REST IN PEASE MY FRIEND CHIEF BUTCH TAYLOR & CREW
WEST SUBURBAN FIRE 11C1
BUTCH TAYLOR
January 14, 2013
Dear Vickie,Children, and Barbara, We are so sorry for your loss. We have known you for so many years, from school to working at the speedway. Tom was one of my Dad's buddies, and I know they worked well together at the fire station. He will be missed by so many as I know he was a great man at the station. Prayers to you and the entire family.
Wanda,Gail, Sue, Barb, and Mike Geiselhart.
Wanda Almberg
January 13, 2013
Tom we had so much fun calling each other ugly all the time.You will be mis. You share your love for all the firemen @ Northwest and other fire deptment so thanks for loving all who was in your life. Great family. If some one who didnt like you, Tom there is something wrong with them The Musso,s family.
Michael Musso
January 13, 2013
Ragnar family,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Please know that you will be in my prayers in the weeks and months ahead.
Brenda Ratze
January 13, 2013
My condolences to the whole family! He was a great man that put smiles on everyones face at CVS when he came in. Love you grampa!
Meghann Morrison
January 12, 2013
Dear Vickie, sorry to hear about Tom, you two where always so nice to come down to our farm and help with the hog roast. Tom was the BEST!Love Frank & Sharon Smith
January 12, 2013
One of the good guys to work with for many years. He will be missed by a lot of the old Ingersoll people.
Dave Bloom
January 12, 2013
Love you more than anything in the world grandpa and trust and believe I will see you again. Keep looking out for all of us because we need some of that right now. Love you papa!!!!!
nikki coleman
January 12, 2013
Chief..this is a very sad time for your family and loved ones. I never got the chance to truly Thank You for crying for(with) me when my family was in need, now I will cry for you and your family. You were a GREAT man and will be missed dearly by ALL who knew you. Thank you for always having a smile and kind words for me whenever I seen you in the neighborhood, around the firehouse or at a controlled burn. Rest in peace my friend.
Nicole Tripp
January 12, 2013
Vickie & family – our condolences. Tom was one of the good guys.
Jack Deery
January 12, 2013
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