Thomas Chester Sawyer

Thomas C. Sawyer, 83, passed away on Saturday, October 25, 2025 at his home in Albert Lea, MN. A memorial service will be held at 11am on Saturday, November 1, 2025 at the St. Theodore Catholic Church in Albert Lea, MN. A visitation will be held from 4-7pm on Friday, October 31, 2025 at the Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home, along with an hour prior to the service at the church. Father Kurt Farrell will be officiating.

Tom was born on May 18, 1942 to Chester and Hilda Sawyer in Albert Lea, MN. After graduating from Ellendale High School, he married Kathleen “Kay” Benner on June 9, 1962 at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Newry, MN. Together they had three daughters: Cindy, Debbie, and Diane. Tom was very involved in the Ulstad Alano Group, being the president of the board of directors. He was also involved at St. Theodore Catholic Church. He could always be found in the kitchen lending a helping hand to clean dishes during funeral lunches.

Tom and Kay would spend their winters in Lake Havasu, AZ, where they formed many close friendships. Tom loved to watch NASCAR and the history channel. He was a great woodworker, craftsman, and handyman. He would know the answer to any math problem you gave him. He was also known as the “Breakfast Guy” to his family. He would prepare breakfast for everyone after Sunday church. But most of all, he never missed any family function, as family was the most important thing to him.

Tom is survived by his wife Kay; his three daughters Cindy and her special friend Ed Fosenburg, Debbie and her fiancé Greg Luscombe, and Diane (Pete) Moore. Grandson Nathan (Shanelle) Grausam; granddaughter Sarah Grausam, Kim Fosenburg, and Melissa Fosenburg. Great-grandson Aidan Steffen; and his sister Suzanne Wilker. His sisters-in-law Georgia Enderson, Shelia (Dan) McNallan, and Marie (Terry) Hockert; brother-in-law John Benner; along with many nieces and nephews.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents Chester and Hilda Sawyer; his mother-in-law and father-in-law LaVon and Lester Benner; sisters Marilyn and Kathleen; brother Jim. Brothers-in-laws Jake Alt, Duane Enderson, Chuck Benner, Bill Benner, and Brian Benner; and nephews Damien Schaub, Todd Benner, and Brad Benner; along with niece Tammy Benner.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Ulstad Alano Society Group.

The service was livestreamed, and can be watched below, or from the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mw3zVyBDIbI