Thomas Gagnon Obituary

Thomas Gagnon, 72, of Old Frontenac, passed away on Tuesday, May 12, 2020, at The Bluffs in Lake City.
    Tom was born July 20, 1947, in Saint Cloud, Minn. to Marvin and Signa (Johnson) Gagnon. Tom received his bachelor's degree in education from the University of Minnesota. He was commissioned into the United States Army in August of 1969 as a first lieutenant while serving in the Vietnam War.  He was honorably discharged in January of 1972. Tom married Milly Stenstrom on Nov. 25, 1972, in Springfield, Ore. They then made their home in Old Frontenac. Tom was a high school science teacher for Lake City for 33 years before he retired in 2005. He was a member of the Lake City VFW and the First Lutheran Church of Lake City.
    Tom spent his childhood in Maple Lake, Minn., where his love for the outdoors began. There he developed a desire for hunting and fishing which he enjoyed the rest of his life. The one thing he enjoyed more than the outdoors was being a husband to his wife Milly and a father to their three children. Alongside his teaching career, he was also a successful entrepreneur by developing and maintaining several real estate investment properties. In the summer, he enjoyed camping at Schroeder’s County Park. During his free time, he enjoyed music and burning up the dance floor with The Twist.
    Tom is survived by his wife, Milly; his sons, Cory (Jane) Gagnon of Lake City and Chris (Eden) Gagnon of Wrightwood, Calif.; his daughter, Rebecca (Johnny) Spain of Chaska, Minn.; his granddaughter, Kailey Garlitch; sister-in-law, Sharon Gagnon; 10 nieces, two nephews; and his many cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Craig and Bruce Gagnon.
    A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials in his memory may be given to Alzheimer’s research or First Lutheran Church in Lake City. Online condolences may be placed at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com.