Shadick, Thomas Richard Age 84, of Minneapolis, passed away peacefully at his home in Ketchum, Idaho, on April 1, 2024. Preceded in death by parents, Ernie and Alice Shadick, and sister Mary Jane ("Shorty") Cochran. Survived by wife of 29 years, Patti; daughter, Jill (Geoff) Hockman; stepdaughter, Kelly (John) Abernathy; stepsons, Kevin, Kirk, and Kraig Johnson. Also survived by nephews, Brad and Kevin Cochran; and eight grandchildren: Ruby and Jack Johnson; Whitney, Hannah, and Lindsey Hockman; Pieper and Phoenix Abernathy; and Gunnar Johnson. Preceded in death by stepson, Kyle Johnson and grandson, Sam Abernathy. Tom grew up in Elk River, and spent summers at the family cabin on Green Lake in Spicer. He graduated from Drake University and worked for Dayton's Department Store in Minneapolis during the retail heyday of the '60s and '70s. Tom left Dayton's in 1973 to open T. Shadick's, a kitchen store in Edina. He went on to open more kitchen and cutlery stores, eventually importing and distributing Wusthof Trident Cutlery, and making the brand a household name in the United States. Tom married Patti, the love of his life, on March 4, 1995. They loved skiing together in Sun Valley and entertaining at their homes in Minnesota, Idaho, and California. Tom loved gardening. He had a talent for garden design, and created magazine-worthy gardens at each of their homes that drew curious visitors, and even served as wedding venues for family and close friends. His retirement projects included running Shadick Vineyard in California, and building a midcentury modern style home on Green Lake. He drove the boat as grandchildren learned to waterski, provided sound advice, and was known for wise one-liners such as "I'd rather be lucky than smart, and "Remember the two easiest jobs in the world: running someone else's business and someone else's family." A springtime celebration of life will be held in Minneapolis, and will be announced when a date is set. Memorial contributions are preferred to the Alzheimer's Association of Minnesota-North Dakota, or Hospice & Palliative Care of the Wood River Valley.

Published on April 14, 2024