Toni Lynn Thomas (Tidgwell), age 62, formally of Warrens, residing in Tomah since 2018, passed away peacefully at her home on March 26th, 2023, after many years of struggling with various health issues.
Toni was born on May 5th, 1960, in Saint Paul, MN to Bonnie (Peterson) Killinger and John Tidgwell. Toni grew up in Stacy, Minnesota where she enjoyed raising horses, skiing, and spending time with her friends that continued to be lifelong. She attended North Branch Area Schools as a child and into her teen years. In 1976, she welcomed her first daughter, Tara.
Toni married Tom “Pat” Finch on February 14th, 1983, and later divorced. Together they had two children, Tasha and Tanya. She then married Jim Thomas on March 27th, 1992, and they spent 20 years together before separating.
She was a proud member of Laborers Local 140 for 33 years where she worked for Kraemer & Sons and Mathy Construction. In her off time during winter, she dedicated many hours volunteering with animal rescue missions where she would often road-trip to save dogs, and she would go out to Yellowstone National Park and volunteer for the Buffalo Field Campaign. She will be remembered as the woman who had a mini barn for her dogs’ “doghouse”, and if going to her house you would be greeted by a pack. She loved her hobby farm of chickens, horses, and tadpole ponds. Through the years Toni had several “soul” animals, who she is now reunited with.
Toni will forever be remembered for her strong personality, an animal rescuer, a nature lover, a hard worker, and the one who always gave everyone a nickname. She was in love with Montana and everything it had to offer, the mountains, wildlife, especially buffalo, and the sense of peace it brought her. Her family likes to believe that is where she will spend the majority of her time in Heaven.
Toni is survived by her former spouse, James Thomas, daughters, Tasha (Tim) Brueggen and Tanya (Larry) Stewart, brother, Todd Tidgwell, niece and nephew, Tyler and Tiffany, grandchildren, Dakota, Jordan, Tanner, Kaidan, Karsyn, Marlee, and Kage, and three great-grandchildren, Hudson, Briggs, and Ryatt, and lifelong friends, Kathie and Julie. She is also survived by former stepchildren who she loved dearly, Gina, Tammy, Paula, Dustin, Jade, and Logan. She is preceded in death by her daughter, Tara Tidgwell, parents, Bonnie Killinger and John Tidgwell, stepfather, Bud (Wilbur) Killinger, grandson, Gage, and many other relatives.
Toni’s family would like to extend a special thanks to the Tomah PD for their empathy and timeliness, Torkelson’s Funeral Home, and neighbors Jay and Sheila Cruz, who were a phone call away at any point when Toni needed them.
Memorial Services will be held on Friday, April 7, 2023, 1:00 p.m. at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah. Family and friends are invited for visitation from 12:00 p.m. (NOON) until the time of service at the funeral home on Friday. Burial will be held at a later date. The Torkelson Funeral Home & Cremation is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com
Torkelson Funeral Home
