Thomas Simonet

Colonel Thomas Joseph Simonet

June 24, 1954 - May 29, 2025

"Striker to the Line"

Colonel Thomas "Tom" Joseph Simonet, 70, of Stillwater, MN, passed away quietly, surrounded by family after an extended battle with pancreatic cancer. Tom was the 7th of the 9 children of Phyllis and Jim Simonet and a lifelong resident of Stillwater. Tom was supported by his wife Sharon (nee Podgorski), his daughters Lisa (Erik) Sjogren and Sarah (Joel) Sederstrom, his grandsons Felix and Henry, and his stepdaughter Brandy (Jared) Guggisberg and step grandchildren Lola and Colin. He was preceded in death by his first wife of 40 years Susan (nee Duden), daughter Jennifer, his mother Phyllis, father James, and his younger sister Mary. He graduated from Stillwater High School in 1972, received a BA from Metropolitan State University in 1983, and an MBA from American Military University in 2014. His civilian job with Norwest/Wells Fargo Bank finished as a Vice President for Institutional Retirement Trust Services and spanned a 34-year career, retiring in 2017. Tom also maintained an active military commitment starting in 1972 with the US Air Force as an aircraft mechanic, advanced in rank and positions of Flight Squadron, Wing Inspector General, and Group Commander with the Minnesota Air National Guard until 2004. He finished his military career as an Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer with the US Air Force retiring from service in 2014. In his spare time, he volunteered with the Washington County Historical Society, St. Croix Base Ball Club, and the Stillwater Veterans Memorial. He was honored by the mayor and the city of Stillwater on March 5, 2025 with a proclamation for his lifetime of community service. Memorials are preferred to St. Mary's Catholic Church, Stillwater, MN, 'We Serve Minnesota ESGR-MN,' Arden Hills, MN, 'Stillwater Veterans Memorial.' Stillwater, MN, or Washington County Historical Society, Stillwater, MN. A visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. on Sunday, June 8, 2025, at Simonet Funeral Home, 6429 Osgood Ave. in Stillwater, MN and also one hour prior to the Mass at church on Monday. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 9, 2025, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 623 S. Fifth Street, Stillwater at 11:00 am. A luncheon at the Church will immediately follow. Burial will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at St. Michael's Cemetery in Bayport, MN.