Thomas Hayden

Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, there will be a graveside service and Celebration of Life held at a later date. Thomas Allen Hayden was born on March 15, 1947 to Harlan and Eunice (Johnson) Hayden in St. Paul, MN. From 1948-1956, he lived in Springfield and attended grade school. The family then moved to Madelia, MN where the family ran Hayden Furniture. He participated in the All-American Soap Box Derby in Akron, OH in 1961 which was a memorable event for him. Tom graduated from Madelia High School in 1966. He was an excellent football, basketball, and track athlete. Tom served in the Army from 1967 to 1969, serving one year in Vietnam and then was stationed in Fort Carson near Colorado Springs, CO where he met Linda Erickson on July 10, 1969. On December 6, 1969, he was united in marriage to Linda Erickson at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Madelia, MN. They were blessed with 3 sons and shared 50 years of marriage. Tom joined the family furniture store alongside his parents. He purchased the store after his father's death in 1972 and operated it until 1986. Tom then sold insurance for 2 years until moving the family to Springfield where he purchased the furniture store in Springfield in 1988. The business was sold to his sons Mike and Jeff in 2006. Tom continued to work part-time at the store as what he called "a consultant." He was a member and served as a Post Commander at the VFW and American Legion Post 19 in Madelia and the John Watson Legion Post 257 in Springfield. Tom also served as the Chamber President in Madelia and was a member of St. Raphael Catholic Church. Tom enjoyed bowling, hunting geese, ducks and deer, fishing, listening to the golden oldies' music, playing cards at Hesse's and Ruby's, and meeting at Outlaws with his buddies and pulling tabs. He loved his grandkids who called him Boompa. Tom fought a courageous battle with cancer and COPD for 10 years, and still enjoyed his cigarettes right until the end. Tom died on Sunday, May 24, 2020, at his home in Springfield, at the age of 73. He is survived by his wife Linda Hayden; sons - Michael Hayden and Jeff (Jenny) Hayden; grandchildren - Kylie Hayden, Jocelyn Hayden (Chris Wersal), and Cole Hayden; step granddaughter Megan Jensen (Brandon Halverson) and her children - Ellie and Milo; sister Pat (Dale) Hartman; sister-in-law Karin Riggs, many nieces and nephews, and his beloved dog Chewy. Tom was welcome into heaven by his son Ryan; daughter-in-law Julie Hayden; his parents; step-father Mel Ullrich; parents-in-law Gwen and Al Erickson; brother Father James Hayden; and brothers-in-law - Eric Erickson and Frank Riggs. Blessed be his memory. Memorials are welcome to Compassionate Friends - South Central MN Chapter, New Ulm, MN Springfield Legion Post 257 Brown County Humane Society Allina Health Hospice Care Interment Information St. Raphael Catholic Cemetery Address not given Springfield, Minnesota, United States 56087