Tom A. Uhde

Tom A. Uhde, age 84, formerly from Miltona, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 4, 2025, at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, September 20, 2025, at the Mount Calvary Cemetery in Miltona. 

Thomas Alfred Uhde was born on June 30, 1941, to Alfred and Masie (Zimmerman) Uhde in Bertha. He grew up in Parkers Prairie, where his family owned a farm and operated several businesses including a hotel, produce and feed store, café, and finally Uhde’s Meat Market. Tom worked alongside his family in these ventures from a young age until he enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1961. He went through Basic Military Training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio Texas. Upon graduation he was trained as a Fluid Power Hydraulic Aircraft Mechanic and worked on C130 & C47 Airlifters, F4C, F101B & T33 Fighters and the U2 Spy Plane. He advanced and was trained as an Aircraft and Missile Pneudraulics Technician. He served in Vietnam 1961 to 1964 and was awarded the Good Conduct medal. He was Honorably discharged in February of 1970.

Tom went back to school and attended the Alexandria Technical Institute for Fluid Power Technology for 2 years. He graduated the top of his class and received his diploma May 22, 1986.

Tom founded Miltona Plumbing and Heating business, and in July 1996 he married Tena Williams from Miltona and they continued the Plumbing business and also operated Camp of the Woods campground up on the Rainy River in Canada for several years. Tom enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling, playing cards, and sharing coffee with friends across the country. Tom was a member of Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, served in the VFW and Lions Club. Tom and Tena were active in their community, he will be remembered for his hard work, kindness, and the friendships he built wherever he went.

Tom is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Tena; and brother, David Uhde.

Tom is survived by his brother, William “Billy” Uhde; daughter, Tammy (Skip) Hansen of Brainerd; stepdaughters, Cynthia (Brad) Chandler of Spearfish, SD, Julianne (Steven) West of Las Vegas, NV; and Barbara Swaiman of Long Beach, CA ; grandchildren; Thomas (Jen) Hansen of Bellechester and Sean (Angie) Hansen of Foley; great-grandchildren, Blake, Miles, Bodhi, Jack, and Lily; step-grandchildren, Megan (Mike Browden) of Las Vegas, NV, Isaac (Courtney) Swaiman of Minneapolis, Dani Swaiman of Brooklyn, NY, and Ethan Swaiman of Long Beach, CA; step-great-grandchildren, Zoey Addison of Las Vegas, NV and Everett, Ayla, and Iris Swaiman of Minneapolis, MN; along with many nieces, nephews, and other relatives.