Thomas "Tom" Charles Heminover

Thomas “Tom” Charles Heminover, age 74 of LeSueur passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 15th, surrounded by the love of his family at Mayo Hospital in Mankato.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, April 24th at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in North Mankato. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. until the time of service, with a eulogy to be shared prior to Mass. A luncheon and burial will follow. Because Tom was such a devoted Minnesota Twins fan, we invite everyone to wear Twins attire in his honor - something that would have meant so much to him. Livestreaming will be available on the Mankato Mortuary website.

Tom was born on September 19th, 1951, to Lawrence and Olivia (Drummer) Heminover. From the moment he was born, Tom was a beacon of joy and love. Growing up in North Mankato as the third of eleven children, Tom was surrounded by family - and he loved them deeply. He was protective, loyal, and one of their biggest cheerleaders, especially when it came to sports.

Tom was the first graduate of Lime Valley School in 1973. Shortly after, he began working at MRCI, where he spent 47 incredible years until he retired. MRCI brought great meaning and purpose to Tom’s life. At MRCI, Tom enjoyed working on packaging and assembly jobs and wrapping silverware at Mexican Village. While he took great pride in his work, Tom especially loved the fun that came with it: trips to Vikings training camp numerous times each year, Twins games, and Moondogs games. He also enjoyed going out with staff to bowl, mall walk, and get special treats - his favorite was pie from Bakers Square. He built many meaningful relationships during those years, including a truly special one with his job coach, Tom Maloney, who became not just a mentor, but a lifelong best friend.

Tom had a love and enthusiasm for the Special Olympics and it gave him the opportunity to celebrate his own accomplishments in addition to always cheering on his family and favorite sports teams. He traveled all over Minnesota, showcasing his love for sports. He participated in the 100 meter dash, 400 meter relay as the anchor, the softball throw, and hurdles. He excelled at standing on the podium to collect his ribbons. His zest for life and his strong values left a handprint on the hearts of many.

To know Tom was to love him. He had a playful spirit, an unforgettable laugh, and facial expressions that could light up a room. He brought smiles and laughter into the hearts of his family and friends. He had a way of making people feel important - remembering names, birthdays, and the little details that most people forget. That was just who he was - thoughtful, genuine, and full of heart.

Tom held a love for watching TV, he was often found in the comfort of his immaculate room, surrounded by all of his cherished treasures. A few of his favorites were: I Love Lucy, Everybody Loves Raymond, Price is Right, Grumpy Old Men, Alvin and the Chipmunks, and Frozen. He also loved traveling with the Schug’s, once he got used to the idea. He especially enjoyed his trips to Disney World, Arizona, and Branson where he was able to see some of his favorite people and gain his most cherished memories.

Tom was the Minnesota Twins’ biggest fan and proudly TC Bear’s #1 supporter. Tom savored life’s simple pleasures - such as attending family events, keeping a routine, and indulging in his daily pop, ice cream, and his well-known rule of only two cookies for a snack. In his adult years, his hobbies included: bowling, softball, volleyball, checking for packages at the door (often more than once a day), and reading both the newspaper and his Sports Illustrated magazines.

One of the most special things about Tom was his childlike spirit. He truly believed in the magic of Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny every single year, right up until the end. He never forgot a gift or who had given it to him, and those memories became some of his favorite things to talk about.

Tom is survived by his sister, Ann (Tim) Schug and his niece, Breanna (Cole) Inderlee who lovingly cared for him. His siblings, Todd (Patty) Heminover, Mary (Steve) Kaiser, Connie (Jim) Hulscher, Deb (Ron) Niebolte, Bruce Heminover, Judy (Kevin) Schroeder, Sharon (Herb) Kober, and Jim Heminover; many beloved nieces and nephews; many aunts and uncles; and his dear friend, Tom Maloney.

He was welcomed into eternal rest by his parents, Olivia and Lawrence Heminover; his brother, Mark Heminover; his sister-in-law, Mary Heminover; and his nephews, Brian Beck Jr. and Jose Lopez.

Tom lived a life full of joy, laughter, and unconditional love. He had a way of making the world feel lighter and kinder just by being in it, a truly remarkable soul who touched the lives of many. He will be deeply missed, endlessly loved, and forever remembered by all who had the blessing of knowing him.