Thomas Michael Lippert

On November 21st, 2024, Thomas (Tom) Lippert, age 86, passed away at Methodist Hospital with his family by his side. Tom was born in Blomkest, MN and spent his childhood on the family farm in Olivia, MN. He was the youngest of eight children. He loved growing up on a farm and shared many stories throughout the years with his family. After graduating high school, Tom enlisted in the United States Army and toured many European cities. During his time in the Army, Tom would also achieve the level of Expert Rifle Specialist, the highest level of proficiency in marksmanship.
After serving three years of active duty in the Army, Tom returned home and began his career as a welder with Millerbernd Manufacturing in Winsted, MN. Concurrently, he attended night school at The Dunwoody Institute to further his skills and career.
In 1960, Tom married and began raising a family. After 10 years of marriage that ended in divorce, Tom started his journey of raising six VERY well-behaved kids as a single father, not an easy feat by any stretch of the imagination!
At the age of 58 and after 36 years of employment, Tom retired from Millerbernd Manufacturing and decided he had enough of the Minnesota winters. Tom moved to the Pacific Northwest living in the greater Portland, OR area. He would enjoy the next 25 wonderful years close to his two oldest daughters, Brenda and Jodi, and their families. In May of 2023, Tom decided to move back to Minnesota where he resided with his daughter Christine and her husband Don. Over the next 18 months, Tom would enjoy spending time with his four youngest children and their families.
Tom enjoyed the little things in life. Reading the paper cover to cover, investing in and watching the stock market, watching and teasing Christine's dogs, sipping on a glass of white wine, good home cooked meals prepared by family, watching football, pheasant hunting, dancing, extended family picnics at Green Lake, family vacations in Mexico, and conversing with his VA personal care attendant Annie. Tom also enjoyed utilizing his self-taught mechanical skills repairing the family vehicles.
We will never forget his giggle. He was truly a kind and wonderful soul. He loved all his family immensely and was so proud to be a father and grandfather.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Lillian and Louis Lippert, brothers Don, Bob, Dick, sisters Pat, Dorothy and Alice. Tom is survived by brother Roger (92) of Wilmar, MN, children Brenda McCool of Portland, OR (Brian), Jodi Lippert (Tim) of Portland, OR, Kurt Lippert (Jeanne) of Arden Hills, MN, Kari Lippert (Duane) of Hudson, WI, Christine Pollard (Donald) of Hopkins, MN, and Jay Lippert of Robbinsdale, MN, grandchildren Elijah Carter (Joseph), Max McCool (Leah), Lauren Lippert (Lori), Alec Messer (Neesa) and Mark Lippert.
A visitation will be held at Washburn-McReavy Edina Funeral Chapel on December 27th, 2024, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. A private burial ceremony will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery at 1:45 pm for immediate and extended family. A social gathering will be held at the Everett McClay VFW Post 1296 in Bloomington, MN, at 1:30 pm.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Lung Cancer Association in memory of Tom Lippert.