Harold Thomas "Tom" Heller, age 76, of Minneapolis, MN, and Minong, WI, died on December 25, 2018, at Lake Minong Flowage, WI.

Born on May 29th, 1942, in Oak Park, IL, to Russell "Jim" Heller and Alberta Hembre Heller, he moved to St. Louis Park, MN, when he was two years old and was raised there. He graduated from St. Louis Park High School and from University of Wisconsin—Stout in Menomonie, WI with a degree in Industrial Education and Printing. After student teaching, he went on to work in the printing industry, first for Holden Printing Company, which became McGill/Jensen Printing, and finally Banta Printing Corporation. He was the Vice President of Purchasing for the Banta Catalog Group when he retired in 2000.

He married Mary Hammond on June 17th, 1967, in Truman, MN. They made their home in Minneapolis, MN, where they raised their three children, Sarah-Grace, Rebecca, and Benjamin. He taught his children both to manage finances and be generous; to be kind and accepting of all kinds of people; and to obtain just the right camera angle at all costs. His values included creative recycling, never wasting, and caring for what he had. He believed in learning how to do it yourself whenever possible, and that no job was too complicated to handle if combined with curiosity and resourcefulness. His work ethic was tireless and unparalleled. He was artistic and creative and loved beauty in many forms. One of his favorite roles was being Grandpa/Bumpa to Lucy Myrtle (12) and Athena Marguerite Baith (9), Elena Ruth (10), and Ada Elise Lekan (5). He was a wonderful, playful grandpa who loved making silly sounds and faces, playing games, teaching kids to enjoy the water, and encouraging them to try new things.

Tom's favorite place was the "TP", a cabin on the Totogatic Flowage in Minong, WI. Tom's aunt, Grace Downing, purchased the property and completed the cabin in 1950. He started going there when he was 8 years old, and took over its care and maintenance when he was in high school. After his retirement he and Mary built an addition larger than the original home, and together they graciously hosted hundreds of family and friends over the years. He loved to water ski, give crazy tube rides to squealing passengers, cut trees, trek through the woods, canoe and kayak, snowmobile, and grow both flowers and vegetables in his prodigious gardens. He was a master at cooking over an open fireplace. He enjoyed both sacred and secular music, particularly organ and choral music but also bluegrass, jazz, and polka. He loved to dance, but had little rhythm; he loved to sing, even if a little off key. Both brought him and others great joy. He had a hearty, infectious laugh, and had a sharp whistle for calling a room to attention.

Tom was an active member of Plymouth Congregational Church in Minneapolis. He enjoyed helping Habitat for Humanity, delivered Meals on Wheels, participated in Fathers Group, the ROMEOs (Retired Old Men Eating Out) with Minong friends, Andante Fellowship Group at Plymouth, and the Monday Men's Cribbage Group. He was exceptionally generous with his time, his talents, and his treasure. He exercised regularly, walking daily around Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis or up at the TP, and working out regularly at the YMCA.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 51 years, Mary Hammond Heller; children Sarah-Grace Heller (Kyle Baith) of Columbus, OH, Rebecca Heller (Mike Lekan) of Golden, CO and Benjamin Heller of New York, NY; granddaughters Lucy and Athena Baith, and Elena and Ada Lekan; sister Anne Heller, brother-in-law Ward Young, and sister-in-law Joyce Heller; many beloved nephews and nieces, and several cousins. Preceded in death by his father, Russell "Jim" Heller in 1966; mother, Alberta in 2008; sister Nancy Heller Young and brother Deane Heller.

A Celebration of Life will be on Sunday, December 30th at 3:00pm with a reception and dinner to follow at Plymouth Congregational Church, 1900 Nicollet Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55403 [www.plymouth.org]. Memorials preferred to Plymouth Congregational Church or Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative (2610 University Ave. W., St. Paul, MN 55114).

Last Update: Dec 31, 2018 8:29 am CST