Thomas G. Prigge, 50, of Cambridge, MN, formerly of Bemidji, passed away on April 12, 2015 at his home in Cambridge.
Tom was born in Rochester, MN to Kenneth and Dorothy Prigge on July 28, 1964. He went to school in Owatonna, MN and then Bemidji, MN. Tom graduated from Bemidji High School in 1982.
He worked hard from a very early age. He worked in the restaurant business with Perkin's, Hardee's and Burger King and became a manager, which eventually brought him to Arizona. Later, he came back to Bemidji and began a career with Henry's Foods (or the "Treat Job" as Hannah called it then). He met Karen Gutterud at the Henry's Food Show in September of 1994. They were engaged in December and married the following year.
Tom and Karen had two daughters, Hannah and Haley. Tom was very proud of his girls and even though he wanted to teach them to work for whatever they wanted, he loved bringing things home that he thought they would like. Tom loved camping and boating with Karen and the girls and had a different camper or water craft every year.
Tom began his career in car sales at Bob Lowth Ford, Bemidji in 1999. He found that he enjoyed his job so much that he even spent his days off at work.
Tom left Bemidji with his family in 2006 to work with his friend, Jeff Hayford in Cambridge. He was a salesman at Hayford Ford and then at John Hirsch Cambridge Motors until he became a manager at Hayford Ford. Tom worked with Jeff until November of 2014.
Tom was preceded in death by his grandparents Gerhard and Stella Kvamme, Hugo and Lean Prigge; his uncles Larry Prigge, David Miller and Don Prigge and his aunt Phyllis Greseth.
He leaves behind his wife, Karen; daughters Hannah and Haley of Cambridge; his parents Kenneth and Dorothy Prigge; brother Jim Prigge of Bemidji; sister Ellen (Duane) Sheehan of Kenai, AK; his in-laws Lyle and Cathy Gutterud of Lengby, MN, David (Gina) Gutterud of Stillwater, Diane (Mike) Sundrud, Kristi (Jeremy) Mienert, Dan (Nikki) of Fosston; several nieces and nephews Amber (Alex) Sweeney, Ashley(Ben) Slater, Ostan Sundrud, Kendra Sundrud, Chelsey Mienert, Tristan Mienert, Anjali Gutterud, Jacob Gutterud, Aaron Gutterud, Reid Gutterud and Shane Gutterud as well as four great nieces Paige, Ellyson, Katia and Gwyneth and one great nephew, Gavin; many aunts, uncles, and cousins who he adored, as well as his 'adopted' Cambridge family Loren, Deb, Justin, Grant, Maddie and Nate Larson. Tom also leaves behind many co-workers, customers and friends who he grew very close to and considered his family.
A memorial service was held April 17, 2015 at the Cambridge Lutheran Church. Online condolences at www.carlsonlillemoen.com. Arrangements: Carlson-Lillemoen Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Cambridge.