Born on November 13, 1940, in Chicago, Ill. To Thomas and Ruth (Tweeten) Andrews. He was baptized in Trinity Lutheran Church in Spring Grove, MN. At the end of WWII his father was sent to Catalina Island, CA and the family was able to join him working for the Wrigley family.
Tom attended high school in Dundee, Ill and helped run the family hardware store in Algonquin, Ill. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1961. He became a radar tech and was stationed in Seattle, WA and remote Alaska where he served watching the Russian flight line.
He served in the Minnesota Air National Guard for over 30 years. He retired as First Sargent. He traveled all over the world with the National Guard. He was part of the team that handed the Panama Canal over to the Panamanian Government. He flew as part of the crew with C130s delivering cargo and people to South America and Europe. He also spearheaded and participated in many humanitarian missions
He married Donna Murphy on June 3rd, 1961, while stationed in Seattle, WA. They had 1 child, Karen Andrews Curren on May 6th, 1965. They divorced after 42 years of marriage in 2003.
After discharging from the Air Force, he worked for 3M as a Chemical Technician. He acquired his single and multi-engine pilot’s license.
He received his BS at Metropolitan State University.
Tom also enjoyed golfing, running and playing softball and training and showing horses. He was the director of the Minnesota Dept of Aeronautics and then worked for finance in the Dept of Transportation.
Tom worked part time as a Vault Master at Treasure Island Casino. Tom served as the clerk of Black Hammer township and as an election judge.
In 2004 Tom retired and returned to Spring Grove. He married Cindy on August 27, 2005. They were married for 17 years. They bought a farm in Black Hammer and enjoyed farming, horses and riding around in their side by side.
Tom died on November 13th, 2022, at his home in Black Hammer surrounded by family. Tom suffered from Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinson’s Disease. He is preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Ruth (Tweeten) Andrews, grandparents Willie and Oline (Wilhelmson) Tweeten, Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Andrews.
He is survived by his wife Cindy (Folstad) Andrews, Daughter and son-in-law Karen (Andrews) Curren and Conrad Curren, his grandson Brian Cavanaugh, great grandson Jared Cavanaugh, stepdaughters Sherry and Elissa Otterness, stepson Iver/Amy Otterness, (Bohde and Easton) and Sisters Betty (Andrews)/ Mel Geller and Dorothy (Andrews)/Don Sharp and many nieces and nephews.
Saturday, November 26th, 2022, there will be a memorial service at Faith Lutheran Church of Black Hammer, 16013 County Road 4, Spring Grove, Minnesota with visitation at 10:00 and service at 11:00. A luncheon will follow. Military Honors will be by the Spring Grove American Legion.
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