Francis "Mike" Joseph Tuohy

 Francis Joseph "Mike" Tuohy

The life and times of Francis "Mike" Joseph Tuohy magnificently mirrored the professional, personal, and benevolent benefits of America's mid-century prosperity as he fostered the backbone of the Upper Midwest business economy through family-owned entrepreneurship.

Mike was born March 27, 1936, in Rochester, MN, third of 15 children born to Joseph and Teresa (Snyder) Tuohy. On January 12th, 2025, he has begun his next life serving God. He looked at his diagnosis of prostate cancer in 2015 to step up his commitment to serve his community, mentor others, share his excitement of "The Chosen Valley" and mostly love his family.

He briefly attended Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, before being called home by family in 1955 to run Tuohy Church Furniture. In 1972, he purchased the company from his father and then went from manufacturing furniture for churches to producing high-end office furniture featured in showrooms around the country. Mike's commitment to expanding his company to national prominence brought him to take flight school lessons where he became a pilot to make regional sales calls more easily.

In the '50s, Mike crafted a speed boat with his brother John and then he produced hundreds of pairs of water skis to teach friends and family to water ski in Lake City. His love of life on the water led to sailing, boating, water skiing, and scuba diving.

Mike had much joy in developing and maintaining his country property with walking trails where hikers often would see deer, wild turkey, songbirds, mink, opossum, and many other wildlife critters. His love of animals extended to sheltering dogs and cats. Mike also was a horse trainer in his youth. 

His interests were eclectic: beer and wine maker, beekeeper, forester. Mike was known as a legacy golfer and served as a member of the Rochester Golf & Country Club board. A source of pride was working in Turkey in the 1980s, his invitation to be a guest at the 2010 Presidential State of the Union Address and being a Ski Sweeper at the 1999 Alpine World Ski Championships in Vail, CO. 

Everyone seemed to marvel at Mike's sense of adventure. To satisfy his curiosity, he traveled the world widely, even swimming in the Dead Sea.

Mike's leadership skills developed early. As a Boy Scout, he earned the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout. Later he became a Boy Scout leader, was on the Boy Scout Foundation and received The Silver Beaver Award. 

Among his many business affiliations and leadership roles include President of the Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturer Association (BIFMA); Minnesota Technology board member; Minnesota Sustainable Development Initiative; Federal Reserve Small Business Advisory Council: Southeastern Minnesota Initiative Fund; President and board member of the Community and Economic Development Association (CEDA); Fillmore County Planning and Zoning; and board of the F & M Community Bank. 

Mike was eager to share his encouragement and expertise with community organizations: Rotary Club Charter Member (Paul Harris Fellow); Lions Club Charter Member; Chatfield City Council; Chosen Valley School Board; Chosen Valley Foundation; and President of Ronald McDonald House. For more than 20 years, he was proud to be a Chatfield Volunteer Firefighter. 

Mike was proud to support and participate with the Chatfield Center for the Arts; Chatfield Community Choir; Chatfield Irish Tenors; St. Mary's Church Choir; Rochester Men's Choir; and performed in Chatfield's "Western Days" plays where he was named Parade Grand Marshall in 2014. He received the Rochester Area Economic Development R.A.V.E. Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Diocese of Rochester -Winona Bishop's Medal for his faithful service to his church, and lastly hosting a Prison Puppy from Can Do Canines. 

A special thank you to Mayo Clinic's staff, especially Dr. Paul Takahashi, Dr. Fernado Quevedo & Megan Spychala P.A.-C., and to the compassionate care from Seasons Hospice.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, Joseph and Teresa, siblings Gerald Tuohy, Patricia Williams, Suzanne Tuohy, Sara Carroll, Richard Tuohy, Edward Tuohy, Timothy Tuohy, and Peter Tuohy.

Mike is survived by his wife Gina (Nepper) whom he married in July 1999, at the future-site of their new home in Chatfield. As a couple they entertained family and friends in their hilltop home on many occasions, most memorably at Christmas where guests were encouraged to act out the "Twelve Days of Christmas".

Pride was evident anytime Mike spoke of his children: Tori (Mark) Smith, Denver, CO; Dan (Terry) Tuohy, Chatfield; Kate (Mike) Williams, Waterloo, IA; and Michael (Margo) Tuohy, Chatfield.

In his role as master craftsman, Mike custom-built baby cribs for his grandchildren: Cole Graskamp, Keely Graskamp (Bryan) Maxwell, Morgan Tuohy, Jack Tuohy, Grace Williams (Tim) Fereday, Frances Williams, Gage Tuohy, and Jett Tuohy, today his great-granddaughter Lulu Fereday rests her head at night in one.

Mike is also survived by siblings John (Jean) Tuohy, Mendota Heights, MN; Tom (Beverlie) Tuohy; James Tuohy, North Oaks, MN; Meg (Bob) Carolan, Mendota Heights, MN; Bernard (Linda) Tuohy, Sun Fish, MN; and Jeanne (Chuck) Klabunde; Hastings, MN; and sister-in-law Darlene Tuohy, Bella Vista, AZ

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Mike's name to Chosen Valley Community Foundation, Seasons Hospice, and Can Do Canines.

Celebration of life will take place at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Chatfield on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 11:00 a.m.

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 24, 2025 from 4-7 p.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Chatfield and again on Saturday one hour prior to the service.