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Thomas Ragnar Obituary

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.

Published by Rockford Register Star from Jan. 12 to Jan. 13, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Ragnar

23 Entries

Katie

November 17, 2020

Still miss you, years later.

February 5, 2013

Vicki and family,

I enjoyed talking with Tom at his appointments, my thoughts and prayers go out to you. Dawn Vernon

Cliff & Vicki Crain

January 19, 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.

Al & Jean Stout

January 18, 2013

Vicki and family,
So sorry for your loss ! Tom was a wonderful person, he will be deeply missed ! Love and Prayers ~

Tim Wirfs

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!

Janice Burdick

January 16, 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

Colleen Zernechel

January 15, 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.

David Allen

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.

January 14, 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

Koren Manley-Dahlberg

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.

Mike and Peg Howarth Numbers

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.

Linda Zaugg Addotta

January 14, 2013

So sorry to hear the news, we had a lot of great memories, our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Sue Slothower

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.

BUTCH TAYLOR

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

Wanda Almberg

January 13, 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.

Michael Musso

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.

Brenda Ratze

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.

Meghann Morrison

January 12, 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!

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

Dave Bloom

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.

nikki coleman

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!!!!!

Nicole Tripp

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.

Jack Deery

January 12, 2013

Vickie & family – our condolences. Tom was one of the good guys.

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