Thomas Bjorn Guttormsson

Tom was born on March 23, 1949 to Ragnar and Ada Guttormsson in Marshall, MN. He attended school at St. Edward’s and Minneota public school, graduating in 1967. Tom attended St. Cloud State College and graduated in 1972 with a degree in English and secondary education. He learned the printing trade at the family’s newspaper, the Minneota Mascot. After college, he worked in the printing business in Marshall, Minneota, and then moved west to work in Nevada, Idaho, and Montana. Tom returned to Minneota, trading in his Gold Wing motorcycle for a camera, and joined his father and brother in operating the Mascot. After the death of his father, Tom became the editor and photographer at the Mascot. Writing a weekly column came easy to him. During this time he co-founded Westerheim Press, a non-profit small book press created to help unpublished poets get their work into print. While doing a news story about the school, he realized that the needs of secondary learning disabled students needed more attention. In 1985 Tom returned to college to obtain a degree in special education. He taught in Lake Benton for three years, and then began teaching at Marshall Jr. High in 1989. He played a key role in bringing about the Natural Helpers program to Marshall. He also served in various union roles for Marshall Education Association, including president for several years. After a total of 32 years of teaching, Tom retired in April, 2018 due to health reasons. He loved teaching. Tom loved photographing nature, watching birds, indulging his cats, listening to music, and cooking. A perfect Saturday night would be listening to a Prairie Home Companion and making supper for his wife, Gail. He loved playing bridge and always wanted to find a way to teach bridge to kids. He was a faithful Twins and Vikings fan. Tom held a strong allegiance to his Icelandic heritage. He was known best for his dry wit. Tom is survived by Gail Perrizo, his wife of 29 years; sister Janet (Loren) Eitreim of Evergreen, CO; brother Jon (Barbara) Guttormsson of Taunton, MN; brother-in-law Scott Perrizo of Boulder, CO; sister-in-law Lynn Perrizo (Richard Raymond) of Grand Junction, CO; brother-in-law Jim Perrizo of Fairbanks, AK; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; father- and mother-in-law Dr. Marvin and Beverly Perrizo; and nephew Kevin Guttormsson. In lieu of flowers, Tom would wish your support of public education. Memorials can be made to the Minneota Library, Pride in the Tiger Foundation, or Gift of Life Transplant House in Rochester, MN.