Thomas John "Tommy" Hauser

Hauser, Thomas "Tommy" John age 43, passed away unexpectedly of natural causes at his mother Linda's home on Jan. 26, 2008. Tommy left behind his young daughter, Winona Mae Hauser; and a grieving family: father, Thomas Paul, Mpls.; mother, Linda LeVasseur Hauser, stepfather, Michael Lalim, Chanhassen; sister, Tricia (Jason) Hauser Tidemann, Chanhassen; brother, David Hauser, Mpls.; as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Tommy was born May 31, 1964 in Winona, MN to a large extended family where he enjoyed growing up on the Mississippi River and hanging out with his friends in Goodview. Tommy was a passionate fan of Minnesota sports and had a purple door and a dog named Kirby to prove it. He became a particularly close caregiver and companion to his paternal grandfather, the late James E. Hauser. This nurturing gift emerged early in his life and was to lead him to his health care vocation. He married Amy Johnson in Nov. of 1994. They later divorced. Their daughter, Winona Mae became both the beacon and the joy of Tommy's life. Blessed with a childlike nature himself, but challenged within, as are so many, his tender paternal care for his cherished child redeemed his soul and nourished his best self. In the last two years his work at Minnesota Lung Center, as a specially trained sleep therapist, had invigorated him, given direction to his life and sustained his purpose. His focus was upon his daughter and their time together. Abundant laughter and love filled those too few days. His family is grateful for the pride and strength of character he achieved in recent years overcoming the challenges he faced. We shall cherish the memory of our sometime "lost boy" who so loved Winona Mae and was so innocent of malice. He is a living legacy in the smile of a little girl and the laughter of a loving family. A family celebration for Tommy's life will be held Thursday, Jan. 31 at Washburn-McReavy Eden Prairie Chapel, 7625 Mitchell Rd. (1 blk N. of Hwy. 5), Eden Prairie, MN 55344. Visitation will be at 1:00 PM, followed by a service at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to the "Winona Mae Hauser College Education Fund." Washburn-McReavy Eden Prairie Chapel 952-975-0400
This obituary was originally published in the Star Tribune.