**Updated with Deacon Thom's Obituary and Funeral Information**
(original article below the horizontal divider)
Obituary for Thomas J. Winninger
Thomas J. Winninger (1948-2021)
Thomas J. Winninger, 72, of Edina, Minnesota, surrounded by his loving family, fought a brief but courageous battle with cancer and went home to be with his Lord on Thursday, February 11. He was born on March 24, 1948 in Waterloo, Iowa, son of Larry and Betty Winninger.
Thom most recently served as Deacon at Nativity of Mary Catholic Parish in Bloomington, Minnesota. He previously served at Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Olaf Catholic Church, and Holy Spirit. He was a past President of National Speakers Association, as well as a devoted and contributing member of Speakers Round Table, Rotary International, Edina Chamber of Commerce, former YMCA Board Member, Cana Family Institute, Member of Market Research Insights Association and many others. Many will know him also as a Hall of Fame Speaker, business innovator, best-selling author, founder of Jesus Speaking, spiritual guide, and most importantly, a good and faithful servant.
Thom is survived by his wife, Lynne Marie Winninger, his children, Virginia (Michael) Ogle of New York, NY, Katherine (Stefan) Smith of Edina, Nicholas Winninger of Edina, Alexander Winninger of Edina, Laura (Jeff) Winninger-Palmer of Waterloo, IA, Benjamin (Dana) Winninger of Waterloo, IA, Sara Lopez, of Rochester, MN, brother, Mark (Kathy) Winninger of Portland, OR, sister, Ann (Steve) Wilbur of Denver, CO; 13 grandchildren, Theodore, Charlotte, Harrison, Everett, Penelope, Brantley, Graham, Jacob, Diego, Melina, Liam, Neva, Mara, and great grandson, Kayson.
Memorials may be directed to support Deacon Thom's Jesus Speaking Ministry and made payable to Jesus Speaking. Mass of Christian burial will be Tuesday, February 23 at 11:00 a.m. (visitation at 9:30 a.m.) at Our Lady of Grace Church, 5071 Eden Avenue, Edina, MN 55436.
If you prefer to join us virtually, please do so at:
https://www.olgparish.org/mass/dcn-thom-winninger
The visitation will be on Monday, February, 22 from 4-8 p.m. at the Washburn-McReavy Edina Chapel Washburn-McReavy Edina Chapel, West 50th St. & Hwy 100, 952-920-3996
Dear Parish Community,
It is with heavy heart that I write to inform you that our beloved Deacon Thom Winninger passed away yesterday (02/11) at about 6 pm surrounded by his family at Methodist Hospital. I had just been there to see him a little more than an hour before he died to give him the Apostolic Pardon. I can honestly say that up until the end Deacon was an incredible witness of Christ’s resurrecting presence.
The family has planned his funeral to happen at Our Lady of Grace in Edina on Tuesday, February 23rd at 11 am. We are actively working on having projectors and live-streaming happening at our Church of Nativity of Mary simultaneous with the service at OLG. There will also be a wake on Monday, February 22nd from 4-8 pm at Washburn-McReavy in Edina ( 5000 West 50th St. Edina, MN 55436).
The Winninger family has expressed, several times over, how grateful they are to our community in warmly welcoming Deacon Winninger so eagerly just a year ago.
In the wake of our dear Deacons passing, please join me in praying for his repose and the consolation of his family. The fact that he passed on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes gives me great hope that Mary was watching over him in his passing.
It is in times of grief that community becomes such an important part of absorbing the grief of loss. Let us be attentive to each other as we experience, in our own ways, the loss of Deacon Thom Winninger.
In Christ,
Fr. Nathan LaLiberte