Thomas “TomCat” Wayne Ahrenholz, age 62 of Prior Lake, passed away from ALS while surrounded by his family on Sunday, May 3, 2020. A graveside service will be held at Fairview Cemetery, Willmar, MN. Condolences can be left at www.ballardsunderfuneral.com and cards mailed to Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, 104 First St. West, Jordan, MN 55352.
On July 3, 1957 Tom was born to parents Harold and Edith (Berghuis) Ahrenholz in Willmar, MN. He was one of three children.
Following his graduation from Willmar High School, Tom entered the workforce. He was proud to be a Union #322 carpenter for 32 years at Braxton-Hancock where he earned the nickname “American Snapper.”
One of Tom’s many talents was his ability to recall events. Given any date, he could recount significant events to the greatest detail, as well as including where he was, where he was working and what the weather had been.
He was an avid music fan and was well-versed in the history of many bands, but Neil Young and The Grateful Dead were his favorites.
He possessed a quick wit and remembered every joke he heard. His ambition was to bring joy to people through humor and sarcasm. This was evidenced by the fact you could never cross paths with Tom without getting an earful of “Catisms”…“Don’t get smart, stay the way you are!”
Tom will be held tightly in the hearts of many, including but not limited to: his mother, Edith of Willmar; wife, Tracy of Prior Lake; daughter, McKenzie Anderson of Savage and her children, Madisson, Jeremiah, and Maxwell; sister, Pat (Mike) Dahlseid of Pennock; brother, Mark (Chari) Ahrenholz of Clear Lake; and his extended family at The Pointe in Prior Lake.
Tom is preceded in death by his father, Harold.
Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation served the Ahrenholz family.
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Sheila
Mark and Family, you all have my sincere condolences in the loss of Tom. I am saddened that he is no longer physically here but rejoicing with God and the Angels that he earned his wings and suffers no more! Keeping you all in my prayers.
S. Juanita Chambers & Wells Fargo Family
MARK S AHRENHOLZ
Thanks Sheila!
Julie Grinager
Tracy & family, I am so deeply sorry for your loss. Tom was definitely “one of a kind” and will be missed by many. I myself have many great memories of Tom from The Point.
Roger Stephens
So sorry to hear about this. Sending prayers to the family. I remember many goods times back in the 70’s with TomCat.
Steve Steberg
So sorry. Our sympathies and prayers go out to your family. Wonderful memories of the special person that he was.
Lincoln Plain
Tom.-
You will be greatly missed. Your smile and personality were always a highlight of my day when we crossed paths. I will miss not running into you around town. Rest easy my friend, you’ve earned it brother.
Merri Duininck Abel
I am so sorry for your loss Brothers and sons are such a hard thing to lose. I am praying for your family.
Pat
Thank you
MARK S AHRENHOLZ
Thanks you Merri!
Paula and Scott Swansson
So sorry to hear of Tom’s death. Thoughts and prayers to Mark and the entire family. He will be missed…
MARK S AHRENHOLZ
Thanks Paula and Scott!
Harlan Vanden Einde
Our sincere sympathy to you, Aunt Edith, and you entire family in the loss of Tom. May God be gracious in giving you the comfort and peace that He alone can give in a time like this. Our thoughts and prayers have been with you.
MARK S AHRENHOLZ
Thanks Harlan!
Sandy Gray
So sad to hear the news of Tom.
Keeping you all in my heart and thoughts.
Sending vibes of strength and peace your way.
Blessings SandyG
John Wallin
My sincere condolences to the Ahrenholz Family, nuclear, extended, and through marriage, especially you Edith, Tracy, classmate Mark. Cat was amazing and his version of Neil Young’s Time Fades Away at the mic in front of the rockin’ Brown & Isaacson bros. will forever be my favorite!
Tom Hemmah
Tom Cat I will miss you just because you were you there with nobody else like you I had the best times with you over the years working together on the job. Helping Each other building our houses we built together and just hanging out. You’re a good friend Tom cat watching your kids grow up do you made my life our life very enjoyable . You left us all way too soon. Lots of good memories brother I love you and I always will.
Mckenzie Anderson
Tom thank you so much love you all
Jeff Berghuis
Edith, Pat Mark and Family,
My sincere condolences go out to all of you. Although I haven’t seem Tom for a long time I ill always remember his great personality, positive attitude and love of family. May God be with you as you morn your loss. Tom is in a better place now and not suffering.
Leon and Marlene Visser
Our sincere condolences to Tracy, Edith, Pat and Mark and families. You all made wonderful memories in the past few months with Tom. Love and prayers to you in this difficult time.
MARK S AHRENHOLZ
Thanks Leon and Marlene
Calla Corner
Sending my prayers to you family. May you find comfort in each other and in good memories.
MARK S AHRENHOLZ
Thanks Jeff!
Stacey
Mark and I are very sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers to all.
Ryan Bartlett
We are so truly sorry for your families loss. He was a good friend to me, my family and all of my staff. Tomcat you were a good man and you will be truly missed. God Bless you.
Ryan Bartlett & The Pointe Family
MARK S AHRENHOLZ
Thanks Ryan and thanks to all at The Pointe!
Pam Knapper
Dear Aunt Edith and family. I was saddened to hear of Tom’s passing. I have been thinking about all of you and praying for special provisions from our Heavenly Father. He is good at caring for us, but still, there is such an ache in our hearts. Know you are being prayed over….. and you are loved.
Larry and Sandy Asche
Dear Edith, we want to send our sincere Sympathy and prayers for peace and comfort to you during this difficult time. May God be with you. Love, Larry and Sandy
MARK S AHRENHOLZ
Thanks you Larry and Sandy!
Kathy Pribble
SO SORRY TO HEAR OF THE LOSS OF TOM CAT AMAZING PERSON. GOD HAS GAINED AN AMAZING ANGEL IN HIS KINGDOM REST TOM YOUR JOB ON EARTH IS DONE UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH TRACY AND THE FAMILY MARK TOOHEY and. KATHY PRIBBLE
Kathy Pribble
SO SORRY TO HEAR OF THE LOSS OF TOM CAT AMAZING PERSON. GOD HAS GAINED AN AMAZING ANGEL IN HIS KINGDOM REST TOM YOUR JOB HERE ON EARTH IS DONE UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH TRACY AND THE FAMILY MARK TOOHEY and. KATHY PRIBBLE
Kathy Pribble
SO SORRY TO HEAR OF THE LOSS OF TOM CAT GOD HAS GAINED AN AMAZING ANGEL IN HIS KINGDOM REST TOM YOUR JOB HERE ON EARTH IS DONE UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH TRACY AND THE FAMILY MARK TOOHEY and. KATHY PRIBBLE
Lyle and Ardi Ahrenholz
Aunt Edith, our sincere sympathy to you and your family in the loss of Tom. We have prayed for him from time to time because we knew he had ALS. May God grant you comfort and peace in this difficult time.
MARK S AHRENHOLZ
Thank you Lyle Ardi!
Steve Schriener
Mark and family, you nailed the obituary — The Cat was singular. Nobody like him, before or since. It is rare in life to find someone that nobody speaks bad about — that is not very grammatical — but that is Tom to a tee. He was the highlight of class reunions for me. Twenty minutes with him, and time melted away — we were standing on the steps of the entryway of the high school on 7th Street. Funny and sharp-eyed, nothing got by The Tom-Cat.
As John Wallin said, I can still see Tom on stage with Dead Chicken Woof at The Fireside singing “Time Fades Away.” For a guy who shunned the spotlight, he could perform. Priceless. To Edith, Mark, and the rest of the family, thank you for sharing Tom with us. He is a gift to us, a reminder to take things a little lighter. He is unforgettable.
MARK S AHRENHOLZ
Thanks Steve! Yes signing Time Fades Away!
MARK S AHRENHOLZ
Yes singing Time Fades Away!
Doug Hillenbrand
Edith, Pat, Mark and Family,
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Tom. It has been many, many years since we have seen or talked to each other. I fondly remember the Christian Reformed days in the 60’s and 70’s. Youth meetings, cadets, etc. Stories we will keep to ourselves:). Many fun and innocent times. I have always remembered playing cards with Harold, Mark and Tom when we lived in the same neighborhood while my parents house was being built in the early 70’s. ( Thanks, Edith for all the ice cream you dished up for us while we were playing cards :)!! Tom was always fun and had a twinkle in his eyes. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time!
MARK S AHRENHOLZ
Thanks Doug! I remember those days as well!
TJ and Dawn Wallin
Sincere condolences to the entire Ahrenholz family. Our world just got a little less funny, will greatlly miss Cat’s sense of humor. Sarcastic or not! It was fun spending time with Cat and Tracy at the Pointe this past year. We wish the best for Tracy as she transitions through her loss, along with all of Cat’s family.
MARK S AHRENHOLZ
Thanks Tom and Dawn!
Tom Almquist
Edith, Pat, Mark and Families, I’m so sorry for your loss of Tomcat. We shared many an adventure together! I will not forget him.
Almer
MARK S AHRENHOLZ
Thanks Almer!
Mark Eischens
Mark and family, I was so sorry to hear about Tom’s passing. The obituary was about everything Tom was about as a person and everything he shared with us. I will remember our hanging out in the summertime and I still have the picture , of Tom in the middle, of our Torvik Tiger baseball team winning the championship.
I also concur with Steve, Tom was the highlight of our class reunions. I will always remember sitting together with him and all the stories and jokes we shared. Tom will always be missed and remembered. He was a great guy and a wonderful person.
MARK S AHRENHOLZ
Thanks Mark!
Wayne warnert
Sorry to hear about the passing of Tomcat! I’m a sheet metal worker for Associated Mechanical and worked on many jobs with Tom and Rich. Tom was always fun to work with and would always help you out with any questions you would have. He had many friends at Associated Mechanical that would say the same thing. Take care Union brother!
MARK S AHRENHOLZ
Thanks Wayne!