The funeral mass for Thomas J. "Tom" Schilling will be at 11am Tuesday, April 4, 2017 at Pax Christi Church in Rochester, MN with Fr. Joseph Fogal officiating. Visitation will be held at Pax Christi one hour prior to the funeral services.

Mr. Schilling, 85, of Rochester, MN, formerly of Dubuque, IA, died Wednesday (March 29, 2017) at Mayo Clinic Hospital-St. Marys Campus in Rochester, MN. Tom was born July 25, 1931 in Dubuque, IA to Fred and Rose (Leitner) Schilling.

He attended Loras Academy High School. On June 9, 1951, he married Violet C. "Vi" Avenarius in Dubuque, IA. They celebrated 65 years of marriage in 2016. The couple lived in Dubuque until 2012 and spent winters in Weslaco, TX from 1993 through 2012. Tom retired from Dubuque Packing Company after over 40 years of service. In January 2013, they moved to Shorewood Senior Campus in Rochester, MN.

Tom is survived by his wife, Vi Schilling of Rochester; sons James (Lorie) Schilling of Letts, IA, and Timothy (Joanne) Schilling of Cedar Rapids, IA; daughter Kim (Mark) Thornton of Rochester, MN; and brother, Paul (Geraldine) Schilling of Escanaba, MI. Tom has seven grandchildren: Jared Wolford, Holly (Carl) Schulz, Ryan Schilling, Cathy (Casey) Muller, Brant (Elizabeth) Thornton, Kirk Thornton, and Callie Thornton, and two great-grandchildren: Landon Comm and Jenna Muller. He is preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Rose (Leitner) Schilling Schroeder, step-father Arnold Schroeder, one sister, Madlyn Schilling, and three brothers, Fritz, John, and Walt Schilling.

Tom and Vi lived in a home overlooking the Mississippi River in Dubuque, IA for 43 years. They enjoyed many great years there raising their family. Tom loved wood working, boating, camping, fishing, and feeding the birds. He was a hard worker who always wanted to lend a hand to help others. He was a gentle, kind man with a quick smile and great sense of humor. Tom will be remembered by all who knew him, and he will be greatly missed by his loving family.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to a charity of choice.