Thomas Joseph Fennell, was born on April 30, 1935, in Marysland Township, Swift County, Minnesota, the son of Edmund Thomas and Margaret Anne (Peerboom) Fennell. He grew up on the family farm in Marysland Township, Swift County, Minnesota. He was baptized on May 15, 1935 by Fr. J. O'Neil and was confirmed at the Church of the Visitation Catholic Church in Danvers on July 13, 1948, by Father M. J. Larkin. Tom attended school in Danvers and graduated from Benson High School in 1954. The family moved to Danvers in 1951. Thomas was united in marriage to Lois Arlene Porter on December 18, 1965 by Father Strie at Christ the King Catholic Church in Minneapolis. This union was blessed with three children. Together, Thomas and Lois were able to share in 43 years of marriage. Thomas farmed in the Danvers area for many years. He owned and operated the Ed and Tom's Mobil Gas Station in Danvers from 1952 until 1966. He was a member of the National Guard serving his country from 1958 to 1963. Tom enjoyed his family and grand kids, visiting with friends and relatives, and collecting treasures. He loved eating chocolate cake in the mornings with his grandkids and they worked together picking rocks and weeds. Thomas was called from this life on Monday evening, April 27, 2009, at the St. Joseph's Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota. He attained the age of 73 years, 11 months, and 27 days. He is survived by his wife Lois of Danvers; three children, Tom (Kelly) Fennell of Kasson, MN, Stephanie (David) Leach, of Milroy, MN and Jason (Michaella) Fennell of Anoka; 9 grandchildren: Wyatt, Deklan, and Nolan Fennell, Brandon, Nathan, Erin and Lauren Leach, Emma and Delaney Fennell; four sisters, Elizabeth Hughes of Danvers, Catherine Zinda of Kerkhoven, Clara (Jim) Brown of Huntsville, Alabama, and Margaret Fennell of Danvers; and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents Edmund and Margaret Fennell, and a brother at infancy.
