Tony James Thomez

Tony James Thomez, age 90 of Waseca passed away peacefully on January 12, 2026, at Lakeshore Rehabilitation Center in Waseca.

Born on June 13, 1935 in Rosebud, TX, he was the son of Manuel and Leonora (Uresti) Thomez. As a young boy, he attended a small country school and spent his early years traveling back and forth between Texas and Minnesota to work. By the time he reached fifteen, he had chosen Minnesota not just as a place to stay, but as the place he would call home. On September 25, 1954, he married Annette Weckwerth at Sacred Heart Church in Waseca. Together they made their home in rural Waseca, where they raised their six children. They were later divorced. While working at Birds Eye in Waseca, he met Roberta, and a loving companionship grew between them. They were married on November 14, 1997, and together continued to make Waseca their home.

Tony was honored to serve his country through many years with the Army Reserves, a commitment he carried with pride. His strong work ethic defined a remarkable 47½-year career at Bird’s Eye in Waseca; where he was proud of his role as a mechanic and union steward. Even after retirement, slowing down was never his style, before long, he found himself back at work with Holden Farms, tending to maintenance and lawn care, always happiest when he was busy and useful.

He took great pride in his work and would give clear, precise instructions whenever help was needed around the house. Borrowed tools were to be returned exactly where they belonged; he had a proper place for everything and knew it by heart. In his free time, he embraced the outdoors, enjoying moose and deer hunting, snowmobiling, and fishing. One of his greatest pleasures was taking his family on annual fishing trips to Hackensack. He was also an enthusiastic collector, with a special fondness for coins and watches, and could often be found watching or attending auctions in search of the next treasured find.

He had a fondness for lutefisk and a lifelong loyalty to John Deere, but nothing captured his heart quite like his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He took immense joy in watching them grow, proudly cheering them on at their activities and sporting events.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Roberta; children, Diane Davis, Judy (Curtis) Petzel, Michael (Carmen) Thomez, Kathy (Dave) Diel, Curtis (Darlene) Thomez, Anita (Rick) Maas, and Roxanne Eaton; grandchildren, Jessica (Cory) Culbert Ryan (Rachel) Hulburt, Scott (Erin) Davis, Cheryl Petzel, Emily (Joe Niemi) Petzel, Doug (Alexa Albrecht) Petzel, Ashley (Joe) Peterson, Matthew Thomez, Alex (Samantha Kapaun) Diel, Aryn Thomez, Sean (Lisa) Thomez, Cooper (Elena Reyes) Thomez, Whitney (Louie) Grupe, Courtney (Alex) Bohman, Alicia (Kyler) Sieben, and Eric Maas; great-grandchildren, Nolan, Jada, Vienna, Andrew, Shya, Lilly, Callie, Thomas, Cecelia, Calliope, Owen, and Brooklyn; step-children, Randy Garten, Joel Garten, Melissa (Aaron) Weber, and Jay (Julie) Garten; step-grandchildren, Tara (Trevor) Precht, Russell Garten, Wyatt Garten, Austin Garten, and Chloe Garten; siblings, Velentine, Joe, Steve, Roy, Tommy, Richard, Olivia, and Rita; along with many nieces, nephews, close friends and his beloved cats, Jimmie John, Ginger, and Opie.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, Norman Davis; siblings, Louie, Anna, David, John, and Gary in infancy; and beloved dog, Buffy.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, January 19, 2026, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waseca, MN; Father Glenn Frerichs will officiate. Tony’s family will greet guests at a visitation held on Sunday, January 18, 2026 from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM at the State Street Chapel of Dennis-Steffel-Omtvedt Funeral and Cremation Service in Waseca, MN and one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery in Waseca.