Thomas Martin Prenzlow

Thomas “Tom” Martin Prenzlow, age 66, of Good Thunder, passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends on Thursday, May 21, 2020 after a 4.5 year battle with cancer.

Private family service will be held and burial will follow at Decoria Cemetery in rural Mankato. Celebration of life gathering will be announced at a later date. Please share your favorite memory of Tom with his family at www.mankatomortuary.com.

Tom was born July 2, 1953 in Mankato to Edward and Kaethe (Schultz) Prenzlow. He was raised on the farm with his five siblings, and his early years were spent dirt biking and horseback riding. After graduating from high school in Mapleton, Tom completed a construction and carpentry apprenticeship. At the age of 13, Tom met Debra Johnson and they’ve never been apart since. They were joined in marriage on March 10, 1972 and they were blessed with two daughters.

He farmed the family homestead from 1972 until he retired in 2017. Tom enjoyed building and riding motorcycles, taking his classic cars and motorcycles to roll-ins, shows, and swap meets, traveling the states and camping with his wife and The Dry Riders Motorcycle Club which he was a longtime member and President of the Mankato Chapter. He was also a longtime member of Alcoholics Anonymous where he helped many people in sobriety and spirituality. He attended St. John’s Lutheran Church in Mapleton for 30 years where he was a deacon, and later attended Redeemer Lutheran Church.

Tom is survived by his wife of 48 years, Debra; daughters, Alyssa (James) Beyer and Neely (Jacob) Williams; grandson, Zachery Beyer; granddaughter, Lanie Beyer; siblings, Joel, Kathy, Dan, and Ruth; and his special yorkie dog, Oliver.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Carol; maternal grandmother, Maria Ebert; and several aunts and uncles.