Kenneth Thomme

Kenneth L. Van Thomme, age 85 of Faribault, died Tuesday, October 9, 2012 at St. Lucas Care Center in Faribault following an extended illness.

Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, October 12, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church, 139 Mercy Drive, in Faribault. Interment will be held at St. Lawrence Cemetery in Faribault with military honors provided by the Rice County Central Veterans Association.

Memorial visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home & Crematory of Faribault on Thursday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. and at the church on Friday for one hour prior to services.

Kenneth Lawrence Van Thomme was born on March 12, 1927 in Faribault, to Maurice and Monica (Silvernagle) Van Thomme. He joined the U.S. Navy during World War II at the age of 17 and became a U.S. Naval Seabee serving on the island of Samar in the Philippines. He also served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. Ken was united in marriage to Donna Jean Feyereisn on June 16, 1951. He had a great love for his family, faith and was proud of his service to his country. Ken worked at Shattuck Military School before becoming the Food Service Supervisor at District One Hospital for many years and later retired from Mercury Minnesota in 1992. Ken spent many years on the Rice County Sheriff's Water Patrol and enjoyed being a leader for the Boy Scouts. He was a member of the V.F.W post 1562 where he was a Past Commander and also an Aide De-Camp to the State Commander. Ken was also a member of the Last Man's Club, DAV, Seabee's Veterans of America, Rice County Central Veteran's Services, both in the funeral detail and also as a volunteer driver to the VA, American Legion Post 43 and the Faribault Aerie 1460 Fraternal Order of Eagles in Faribault. Ken enjoyed painting by number, fishing, boating, life at the cabin, playing cards, baking and spending time with his family.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Donna of Faribault; his children, Thomas (Joyce) Van Thomme of Lakeville, Gerald (Jan) Van Thomme of Faribault, Catherine (Ronald) Borcherding of Waseca and Margueritte Van Thomme (special friend Louis Hagel) of Faribault; his five grandchildren, Nacole, Jason, Adam, Reid and Molly; his four step grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren and by other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers Leslie, Louis and Victor and by his grandson, Shaun Van Thomme.