Obituary of Thomas Edward Dahlstrom

Thomas Edward "Tom" Dahlstrom, 71, passed away on March 15, 2025, in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota.

Born on October 4, 1953, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Tom grew up with a natural talent for creativity and craftsmanship. He graduated from Robbinsdale High School in the class of 1972, where he was known as a talented gymnast. His passion for working with his hands carried throughout his life and shaped both his career and personal pursuits.

For more than two decades, Tom worked as a warehouse manager for Mill Creek Country Furnishings. Later in life, Tom enjoyed working as a driver for First Student. Outside of work, he found joy in creating—whether it was crafting wood furniture, sketching intricate drawings, or growing vegetables in the garden. His artistic nature was evident in everything he did.

Tom loved animals and shared his home with many beloved pets over the years. He had a special fondness for their adopted raccoon, Zorro, and took great pride in teaching their cockatiel, Paco, to whistle the Addams Family theme song. His appreciation for nature extended to camping trips with family and friends—cherished moments spent around campfires under open skies.

A true Harley enthusiast, Tom could often be found riding one of his classic bikes—the Shovelhead or the Road King—whenever the weather allowed. And sometimes when it didn't.

His signature look never wavered: denim shirt, leather vest, Lee jeans, and cowboy boots. He embraced simplicity and valued experiences over material possessions.

Tom was social by nature and had many friends and acquaintances. He and his longtime partner of more than 30 years, Bobbi Hanson, enjoyed hosting their annual fall "soup parties," bringing together friends for good food and great company.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Eva and Roy; his sister Ginger; and his brother Rick. He is survived by Bobbi; his son Jesse (Adam) Dahlstrom; his sister Gaye; his brother Ray (Sally), and many other relatives and friends. A special thank you to Tom's good friend Gary Zahler for the help and support he provided Tom and Bobbi over the past few years.

A celebration of Tom's life will be held on Saturday, April 19th from 12:00 to 3:00 at the Crystal VFW banquet space, 5222 Bass Lake Rd, Crystal. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center are requested - wrcmn.org/donate.