Gasner Thomas Merlin Gasner, 59, of Pleasanton, CA, formerly of Owatonna, died Tuesday, May 31, 2005 at his home. He was born October 23, 1945 in Owatonna, Minnesota the son of Merlin and Evelyn (Gray) Gasner. Thomas graduated from Marion Catholic High School in 1964. On September 12, 1970 he married Ilene Hoffman. He served in the Army from 1967-1969 and was stationed in Oklahoma. After his service, he graduated from Upper Iowa University. He worked as CEO of ERO Industry. He also volunteered his time coaching junior high and high school basketball, and with SCORE. He enjoyed owning and watching his horses race. Thomas is survived by his wife Ilene of Pleasanton, CA, his daughters Lisa & Bob Guess of McHenry, IL, and Amy Gasner of South Elgin, IL, his son Jeff Gasner of Evanston, IL, his granddaughter Taylor Guess , his siblings Bob & Dorothy Gasner, Joanie & Don Giorgio, Mary Pat & Willie Eastwood, Paul & Joanie Gasner, Sid & Michelle Gasner, Bill & Naomi Gasner, Susie & David Klinkhammer, and his many nieces & nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents and his nieces Stacy Klinkhammer, and Jeanie Gasner. Visitation will be held at Michaelson Funeral Home on Friday from 4-8PM and on Saturday at St. Joseph Catholic Church from 9:30- 10:30AM. Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 4, 2005 at 10:30 A.M. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Owatonna. Father Edward McGrath will be officiating. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Owatonna. Memorials are preferred to National Kidney Cancer Association at curekidneycancer.org
This obituary was originally published in the Star Tribune.
Beautiful memories of the time I spent with Tom and his beautiful family come back to me every year at this time. Blessings with all my love to all of you, Mary Pat
Mary Pat Eastwood
May 27, 2021 | Evans, CO | Sister
Having fond memories of my little brother, Tom. I will never forget him. Love to all the family!
Mary Pat Eastwood
May 27, 2020
Thanks for sharing this picture, sister. I need to confess something. I gave Tom the idea to leave you at Alcatraz! We laughed picturing you there as the ship sails away!
Happy 60th brother!
Sid Gasner
October 25, 2005 | Minneapolis, MN
I enjoyed reading the very nice things that were said about Tom. He deserved each and every one of them. I am a better person for having known Tom.
Albert (Al) King
October 17, 2005 | New Bern, NC
Happy 8th Birthday
Happy Birthday Tom! Sunday October 23rd is Tom's birthday. Even though he isn't here to celebrate his birthday I am sure we will all be thinking of him and celebrating for him. He is celebrating with other loved ones he is with, especially the Lord Jesus! I would like to share a story that some of you may not know. Tom would always remind me that I spoiled his 8 year old birthday party. He said that his birthday party was supposed to be the next day October 24th. Well Mom had other things to...
susie klinkhammer
October 16, 2005 | Burnsville, MN
Ilene, Lisa, Amy & Jeff,
We are so honored to be able to express our thoughts on Uncle Tom.
I remember calling Tom and Ilene one Saturday morning after I heard Ca had an earthquake. I didn't think about the time change and Tom let me know(in his witty way)what time it was in Ca. I can still hear his responce!!!!
We feel we have been blessed to have Tom in our family and be a part of our lives. We will always remember his wit. One could say his Wit was one of a kind,...
Dwayne & Elaine Nienaber
July 19, 2005 | Owatonna, MN
Dear Gasner Family; I was so sorry to hear of of your loss. I worked for,no, with Tom back in the 70's at Fingerhut Corp. Tom was my manager and a great "boss". I first met Tom when he worked for Honeywell in the subcontract purchasing and I worked in purchasing. Tom left Honeywell bound for Fingerhut and one of his first acts there was to contact Marv Kolling and me and convince us to come to work for him , a decision I have never regretted./
We had some good times together, both at...
Tom Elliott
June 22, 2005 | Tucson, AZ
Dear Gasner Family,
I was so saddened to read of Tom's death. I worked for Tom when he was a Purchasing Manager at Fingerhut Corporation (1972-1976). I have many fond memories of Tom. I especially remember his awful green sports coat! And his red hair always sticking every which way! One day I came to work with a new outfit that Tom thought would look wonderful on Ilene. A pair of stitched jeans and a jean jacket. Tom immediately gave me the cash and sent me out purchase the exact...
Linda Anderson
June 22, 2005 | New Brighton, MN
Friends and Family,
Thank you for sharing your stories and
kind words. We really appreciate it. My dad was a
very private individual and hearing many new stories
has been a great help.
Love,
Lisa, Tom's Daughter
Lisa Guess
June 18, 2005 | McHenry, IL
