Tom Hackett

John Thomas Hackett, 81, of Saint James, died on September 23, 2026, at Oaklawn Rehabilitation Center in Mankato, surrounded by his loving family.

Visitation will be held on Friday, October 2, 2026, from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Sturm Funeral Home in Saint James and will continue on Saturday from 11:30 am until 12:30 pm at the funeral home. Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at 1:00 pm at Saint James Catholic Church in Saint James. Burial at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery will take place at a later date. Arrangements are with the Sturm Funeral Home in Saint James. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.

Tom was born July 19, 1945, to Gerald “Jiggs” and Frances (Kruck) Hackett in Saint James, MN. His early education was at Saint James Catholic Church Parochial School and he graduated in 1965 from Saint James High School. He was drafted into The United States Army in November 1965 which he turned into a 21-year outstanding career. Tom was married to his first wife, Gwendolyn Sletta in November 1965 and later married Linda (Barker) Brady in February 1991.

Over the span of his army career, Tom was stationed at Fort Gordon, GA, Vicenza, Italy, Viet Nam, Fort Benning, GA, Babenenhausen, Germany, ROTC at the University of Tampa, FL, and finally Berlin, Germany. Arriving in Berlin in 1979, where he remained until he retired as a Master Sergeant in December 1986. His final position in Berlin was converted to a civilian position which he filled upon his retirement. He remained in the position and was one of the last to leave the city. He used to say that he turned out the lights of the Berlin Brigade with the completion of the U.S. Army drawn down in the once occupied city. After leaving Berlin, he worked in the supply division of Manheim, Germany, until Linda’s retirement from the military when they moved to Saint James.

Tom was an exceptionally hard worker. He was always busy, seeking ways to better provide for his family. Upon returning to Saint James, he obtained a CDL and became an over the road, 18 wheel driver, eventually owning his own rig and business. He drove for 17 years before retiring.

Tom was a family man and loved his family dearly. There was nothing he would not do to help one of his children or others if it was within his means. He was a master at the BBQ grill and making his own sauce. Tom loved a nice ride, luxury and classic cars, and pickup trucks. He loved a cold Czechvar on the deck or on his pontoon cruising Long Lake. Feeding and watching the birds and squirrels was a favorite pastime. You would find him every morning at the kitchen table in his robe and slippers with his coffee and computer playing Solitaire, reading the paper, or checking financials. Before computer days, he did the same with the paper versions of such.

Tom is survived by his wife, Linda; daughters, Leslie Hackett and her husband, Daniel Brown and Kristenza Nelson; son, John “Tom” Hackett and his partner Elizabeth Poehler; grandsons, Marius (Victoria) Brown, Julius Brown, Andreas Nelson, and Alexander Nelson; twin great grandsons, Otto and Theodore Brown; sister, Kathleen (Robert) Lambert; brothers, Jerry (Nancy) Hackett and David (Junko) Hackett; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and numerous wonderful friends.

Resting in eternal peace prior to Tom are his parents, Frances and Gerald “Jiggs” Hackett; sister, Mary Margaert Mirhoseini; brother-in-law, Mahmood “Sid” Mirhoseini; brother, Richard Hackett; son-in-law, Thomas Nelson; and nephew, Kevin Lambert.