Founder of Garfield Truss Company, Tom Honkomp, Passed Away

Thomas (Tom) Honkomp passed away on September 3, 2025, at Vivie Care Center in Alexandria, from the complications of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. The disease took his physical abilities, but not his sense of humor. He enjoyed a good chuckle right until the end.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, September 12, 2025, at the Church of St. Mary in Alexandria with Father Matthew Kuhn officiating. Interment will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery following the service.

Visitation is one hour prior to the service at the church.

Tom was born on October 1, 1942, in Collis, Minnesota, growing up in Beardsley. It was there that he met his wife of 63 years, Bonita “Bonnie” (Haanen) Honkomp. Together they raised three children and have six grandchildren and a great grandchild.

After graduating college at St Cloud State University, Tom taught Industrial Arts at Jefferson High School in Alexandria for eight years. During the summer he would do construction projects. It was during one of those projects that getting trusses in time was a problem and sparked the idea to start a truss company. So, together with a partner, Tom founded Garfield Truss Systems in 1976. After buying out his partner, Tom owned Garfield Truss Systems until his “retirement” in 1999.

During “retirement” Tom never slowed down. He continued to do various construction projects and was on the board of Viking Savings Bank for several years. Otherwise, Tom was an avid outdoorsman and would most likely be found on the lake - in a boat or in an ice house. He also enjoyed hunting, gardening, spending time as “gramps,” traveling with Bonnie, and volunteering with Let's Go Fishing and Caring and Sharing.

Tom is preceded in death by his parents, Elmer (Bud) Honkomp and Julia (McBrady) Honkomp; son Curtis Honkomp; brothers, Donald Honkomp, Kevin Honkomp; sister Janet Fredell; and brother-in-law Jeff Hughson.

Tom is survived by his wife Bonnie; children, Rhonda (Dean) Freeberg and David Honkomp; daughter-in-law Stacy Honkomp; grandchildren, Erika Freeberg, Amy Freeberg, Nicole Freeberg, Weston (Danielle) Honkomp, Paige (Tanner) Gross, and Garret Honkomp; great-granddaughter Jovie Gross; sisters-in-law Johanna Honkomp and Carole Honkomp; brother-in-law John Fredell; sisters, Eileen Hughson and Julie (Tom) McCall; brother, Ken (Beth) Honkomp; along with many nieces, nephews, other extended family and friends.

Urnbearers are Weston Honkomp, Paige Gross, Garret Honkomp, Erika Freeberg, and Amy Freeberg. Honorary urnbearer is Nicole Freeberg.