Thomas J. Lawler, 84, of Rochester died Wednesday, March 21, 2012, surrounded by his loving family at Sunrise Cottages in Rochester where he had resided for the past several weeks.

A Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 26, 2012, at his childhood parish of St. Francis in Rochester, with Fr. Paul Nelson officiating; Rev. Dale Tupper and Rev. Mark McNea will co-officiate.  Burial will be in Holy Redeemer Cemetery in Eyota.  Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 25th in River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home.

Tom was born April 13, 1927, on his family farm in Haverhill Township to Bill and Eva Lawler.  On May 28, 1949, he married Mary Bridget Healy at Holy Redeemer Church in Eyota.  The couple farmed until 1963 and then moved to Rochester.

After moving to Rochester, Tom drove truck for Fernstrom and Witte until starting his own family business, Lawler Transfer.

Tom is survived by his wife, Mary B; 7 children, Tom (Joyce) of  Denver, CO,  Matt (Terri) of Rochester, Jim (Tami) of Rochester, Mary Kay (Steve) O'Neill of Schaumburg, IL, Kevin (Barbara 'Jo') of St. Paul, Ann Marie (Todd) Young of St. Paul, and Theresa Lawler of Eagan; 18 grandchildren, Lori, Katie, Dan, Brian, Mark, Mike, Adam, Alissa, Tim, Shannon, Matt, Brian, Will, Amy, Molly, Shannon, and Kevin; and 7 great grandchildren Justin, Cora, Audrey, Colin, Claire, Finley, and MacAlister; brother, Bob Lawler of Rochester, sisters, Mary Louise McCarthy of DesMoines, IA, Evie Cierzan of Rochester and Betty Bowman, and sister-in-law, Margaret Lawler both of Eyota; many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a son, Terry Joseph, a granddaughter, Bridget Therese, a brother, Dick Lawler, brother-in-laws, Gene McCarthy, Ran Bowman, Jim Cierzan and Francis Healy, and sister-in-laws, Pat Lawler and Sue Healy.

Tom was long-time member of St. Pius X Catholic Church.  He really enjoyed his family, laughing with his grandchildren, drives in the country, farming, going to breakfast and chatting with good friends, and anything John Deere!

Memorials are preferred to Seasons Hospice, 1811 Greenview Place SW, Suite 110, Rochester, MN 55902.