Thomas McLaughlin

Thomas "Tom" Patrick McLaughlin, age 85, of Madelia, MN, died on December 22. 2025, at Heartland Senior Living in Truman, MN.

Visitation will be on Friday, January 2, 2026 from 5:00-7:00pm at Sturm Funeral Home, Madelia and on Saturday from 9:30-10:30am at the funeral home.

Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Madelia on Saturday, January 3rd, at 10:30am, with Father Timothy Hall officiating.

Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery in Madelia.

Arrangements are with Sturm Funeral Home in Madelia.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.

Thomas Patrick McLaughlin was born May 8, 1940, to Edward Clement and Vineta Anna (Swift) McLaughlin in Des Moines, IA. He graduated from Belmond High School, Belmond, IA in 1959. After high school, Tom farmed with his father and brother. Tom married Janice Cathryn Motes after a whirlwind romance on June 9, 1963, in West Point, IA. In 1969, they purchased a small farm in West Point, IA. Tom was active in the community club and he joined the West Point Fire Department in 1974. This experience led him to pursue a 37 year career with the DuPont Automotive Paint Company as Fire Team Captain.

Tom was actively involved in his children's schools and education. He volunteered where needed and often drove the bus for sports events. Tom and his family opened their home to the Iowa Foster Program, hosting several boys, including 2 long-term, Kiet Nguyen and Chong Le. Tom stayed with the DuPont's fire team through transfers to Toledo, OH and finally Detroit, MI, until his retirement. Tom held deep faith. Serving his parish was very important to him. He was an usher at each parish he attended and enjoyed volunteering, especially at St. Anastasia's booth at the Pontiac Silverdome. After retirement, Tom and Jan moved to Madelia, MN to be closer to kids and grandkids. Tom joined the Sportsman's Club and the Lions Club.

Menards loved Tom. He enjoyed making each home the family lived in beautiful, often remodeling kitchens, adding new decks, raised gardens and even elaborate tree houses for his children. His remodel of the Madelia house was his greatest accomplishment. Tom enjoyed attending 4-H events with his grandchildren and was very proud to be a 4 generation family. He also enjoyed attending local high school sports events, going to auctions, drives in the country side with Janice and Friday night movies at the Madelia Theater. He enjoyed fishing and hunting for pheasant, turkey, and deer.

Tom is survived by his wife, Janice; daughters, Jennifer Ware and Christine Crow; sons, Patrick (Tamara), Theodore and Jonathon; grandchildren, Bridget Peterson (Adam Kim), William Ware (Natali Cantu), Naomi Crow, Jacob McLaughlin and Connor McLaughlin; step-grandchildren, Jacquelyn McClendon and Nicolette Ware; great-grandchildren, Spencer Peterson and Emiko Cobayashi; step great-grandchildren, Janese Mateo, Evan Mateo and Michael Wood. Tom was preceded in death by his parents Edward & Vineta McLaughlin; in-laws, Henry & Cathryn Motes; sister, Cecilia Hanson; brother-in-law Roger Hanson; sister-in-law, Cheryl McLaughlin; grandson, Adam Gould; son-in-law, Michael Ware; nephew, Todd McLaughlin and niece, Debra Hanson Lind.