Thomas Duane Deedrick

Thomas (Tom) Duane Deedrick went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Mar. 30, 2012 after a long journey with Parkinsons disease and a short battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 78. Tom was born the third of three children on Oct. 11, 1933 in Le Mars, Iowa, to Levi and Jeanette Deedrick. He graduated with a BA in Art from Westmar College, where he met Lorraine Hermann. They married on Apr. 3, 1959. Tom served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He worked as a supervisor at Daytons (11 years), Embers restaurant (18 years) and Ability Building Center (10 years). Tom was passionate about Jesus and loved people. He was actively involved in serving the local church where hes best known for greeting people and giving stickers to kids. He was one of the founders and long-time board members of Faith Sound, KFSI radio and Faith Christian School, where he coached boys basketball. He was a charter member of GreatDeeds and Harvest Bible Chapel Rochester. He loved to paint, play golf and decorate birthday cakes for his children and grandchildren. Tom is survived by his wife Lorraine, Rochester; daughter Cheryl Enderlein, Wheaton, Ill.; son John (Kelly) Deedrick, Rochester; daughter Tami Deedrick, Bloomington, Minn., son Steve (Kimberly) Deedrick, Rochester; five grandsons, Tim (Alyssa) Deedrick, Matt (Michelle Benson) Deedrick, Noah, Tait and Levi Deedrick; and one granddaughter, Kara; and brother David (Jan) Deedrick of Cherokee, Iowa. He is preceded in death by his parents, sister Estelle (Duane) Musselman, and infant son Timothy Deedrick. Pastor Steve Deedrick will officiate Toms home-going celebration at Calvary E-Free Church at 5500 25th Ave, NW Rochester on Monday, Apr. 2 at 10:30 a.m. Visitation will be held at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes 5421 Royal Place, NW Rochester on Sun., Apr 1 from 2-6 p.m. and one hour before the service at the church. Interment will be at Fort Snelling at a later date. Memorials are preferred to GreatDeeds (www.greatdeeds.org) or Harvest Bible Chapel Rochester (www.harvestrochster.org). The family wishes to thank three influential people in helping Tom live with Parkinsons: his long-time caring doctor Marvin Vaughan, M.D., his special personal trainer Terri Wheeldon, and his ElderNet volunteer and buddy Gordy Hall. Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes, 5421 Royal Place NW, Rochester, MN55901 (507) 289-3600 www.ranfranzandvinefh.com