Thomas Alden Roden, born May 13, 1963, passed away March 16, 2025, at age 61.
He was preceded in death by wife, Lynda Roden; father, Thomas A. Roden; sister, Jacquelyn (Roden) Young; father-in-law, Louis Larson; and nephew, Clinton Rassier.
He is survived by stepson, Charlie Larson; mother, Janice Alden Anderson; nieces, Jennifer Young and Nicole Rassier; mother-in-law, Lila Larson; and sister- and brother-in-law, LuAnn (Larson) and Bryon Rassier,
Thomas Alden Roden was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota and was raised in St. Paul, Minnesota, communities. After high school, Tom started in what became his lifelong career as a sought-after auto mechanic. He earned his ASE certification and then that of Master Mechanic. Tom loved to play pool. He played on a pool league with Charlie and friends. He also liked to play the acoustic guitar and had a beautiful voice. He played his guitar and sang at LuAnn and Bryon’s wedding.
Tom and Lynda met while working at the Maplewood Sears auto center—Tom as a mechanic and Lynda at the auto service desk. They lived their lives together since getting married in Sept. 1989. Tom and Lynda were each other’s partners. Lynda ran the household and was social calendar director. Tom was the repair man (he would figure out a way to fix anything,) and Lynda’s right-hand man. They loved to make each other laugh.
They lived in North St. Paul, Minnesota, until 2004 when they fulfilled their dream and bought their beloved 40 acres in Frederic, Wisconsin, on a dead-end dirt road, with a place to have the house face west where they could enjoy the sunset every night. The 40 acres had no dwelling, they started in a mobile home until they found a house to move onto their land. Later they added a pole barn with a car hoist, air compressor and cement slab.
Tom and Lynda managed an early morning paper route for many years, all while Tom was still working as a mechanic. That is how they met so many people who later became close friends. They saw many bears, deer, elk, wolves, coyotes, foxes, racoons, and maybe even a sasquatch? Tom loved living on his land of solitude and peace with the wildlife, land for their German Shepherds to run, riding 4-wheelers through their woods, raising chickens and watching the sunset. The best times were with Charlie and his friends when they came to visit to ride the 4-wheelers, play pool, target shoot, watch football, and barbeque.
Whatever else Tom accomplished through his life, Tom’s biggest legacy is having loved and cared for Lynda through her many health struggles. His loving care and commitment to Lynda was so strong that she was able to remain in their home until a few weeks prior to her death.
A Celebration of Lifewill be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, April 12., at Oakwood Funeral Home, Maplewood Minnesota, with visitation one hour prior.
Arrangements are with Oakwood Funeral Home, 2585 Stillwater Rd., Maplewood, MN 651-738-2198
