Thomas Wayne Farrell

Thomas Wayne Farrell, 66, of Floodwood passed away Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009 in Miller Dwan Medical Center in Duluth. Tom had several health issues over the past several years being diabetic, and most recently cancer. He was born July 30, 1943 in Duluth to James and Ruth (LaFont) Farrell. He attended elementary schools in Duluth and secondary and high school in Floodwood. He adopted Floodwood as "his little piece of heaven here on earth". Tom served in the U.S. Navy and upon returning to Floodwood worked at some mill jobs, was a peace officer, and retired from St. Louis County Public Works road maintenance on July 30, 2008. He was a member of Hope Lutheran Church in Floodwood, the Floodwood Lions and the VFW. As hobbies, Tom was an avid fisherman, enjoyed playing cards, going to the sauna, and spending time outdoors with family and friends. Tom was united in marriage to Donna Rahja on October 26, 1961 in Floodwood. He loved children and all children cherished him. Tom was preceded in death by his sister, Nancy Hallfrisch; brothers, James Farrell, Carl and Rueben Collier; two nieces, Wendy Farrell and Jennelle Rahja; and father-in-law, Ragnar Rahja. He is survived by his wife, Donna; daughters, Suzanne Farrell and Denise Farrell both of Minneapolis, and JoDee (John) Selle of Edina; sons, Tad Farrell of Floodwood and Ryan (Christina) Farrell of Maple Grove; brothers, Pat Farrell of Duluth and Arnold (Laura) Collier of Neenah, WI; sisters, Yvette (Ron) Rosera of Superior, Wisc. and Yvonne (Gerry) Sanders of Appleton, Wisc.; his precious grandchildren, Cody, Maxwell, Aiden, Sierra, Isabella, Braxton and Sophia; mother-in-law, Aune Rahja of Grand Rapids; foster mother, Frances Johnson of Floodwood; several nieces and nephews; in-laws; and many, many friends. Funeral Services were held on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009 in Hope Lutheran Church in Floodwood. Burial was in Forest Hill Cemetery, Van Buren Township with military honors accorded by the Cloquet Combined Honor Guard. Arrangements entrusted to Atkins-Northland Funeral Home, 801 14th Street in Cloquet. To sign the guest book and leave an online tribute see www.atkinsnorthlandfuneralhome.com