Thomas F. Kimber

ObituaryThomas Fredrick Kimber, 64, of Minnesota City, MN, died on Wednesday, January 18, 2012, at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, MN after an extended illness. He was born on April 19, 1947, in Northfield, MN, to Gordon and Doris (Hansen) Kimber and lived in the Castle Rock, MN, area until he was 2 years old. During his pre-school and elementary school years, he and his family lived in Bricelyn and Hayward, MN. When Tom was 12 years old, they moved to Preston, MN, where he graduated from high school in 1965. After graduating, he drove truck, mostly hauling livestock to Austin. In 1966, he was drafted into the US Army for 2 years of which 18-months were spent in Germany where he also drove truck. Tom loved trucking, and after an honorable discharge from the Army and a short stint at Winona State College, he followed his dream to become an independent trucker. Shortly thereafter, on September 12, 1970, Tom married Jacqueline Ann Voight of Preston. They lived in Winona and Minnesota City during their entire 41 years of marriage with Jackie teaching in the Winona Public Schools. In 1973 shortly after the birth of their son Dan, Tom was diagnosed with cancer. His cancer treatment was successful, but years after he began to have side effects of his treatment that ultimately led to his death 38 years later. As Tom told his family many times, he was very thankful for the many years he lived after his cancer diagnosis. Tom spent most of his career transporting commodities between the Midwest and East Coast and had many friends in his widespread truckers' network. He retired in 2009 because of his health. Tom was active in the American Legion and American Truck Historical Society, of which he was secretary for the local chapter. He also devoted considerable time to the care of his parents during their last years. Tom will be remembered as a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, and brother; a loyal friend; an avid conversationalist; and as someone who always fulfilled his responsibilities to the best of his ability. Tom will be sorely missed by his beloved family including his loving and devoted wife Jackie; his children Dan (Jennifer) of Wakefield, RI, and Jessica of Rochester, MN; his granddaughters May, Samantha, and Delilah; his brother Wayne (Susan) of Winona, MN; and his sisters Jean Brown (Richard) of Anacortes, WA, and Ann Carlson (Gregory) of Stanchfield, MN. He was preceded in death by his mother on June 29, 2011, and his father on September 24, 2011. Memorial Service will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, January 24 at Central Lutheran Church with the Reverend Jeff Franko and Reverend David Jorde co-officiating. Private family burial will take place at Woodlawn Cemetery. Visitation will be 5 - 7 p.m., Monday at Hoff Funeral & Cremation Service - Hansen Goodview Chapel and one hour prior to the service Tuesday at church. Following the service Tuesday full Military Honors will be provided by the Leon J. Wetzel Post #9. Please sign his online guestbook or leave a message of sympathy for his family at www.hofffuneral.com.
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