Edward Tomsche, DVM

Edward Joseph Tomsche, DVM, passed from this earthly world on May 22, 2026, surrounded by his family. He was 95 years old. Ed was a man with an extraordinary work ethic, entrepreneurial spirit, and deep devotion to his family, profession, community and faith in God.

*****Please note the date of the service*****

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 5 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose with Rev. Mitchell Bechtold officiating. A private inurnment will be held in the parish cemetery at a later date.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose and from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at the church. Parish prayers will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home.

Ed was born on May 19, 1931, in Albany, Minnesota, to Emil and Christine (Broeker) Tomsche. He was the oldest of six children.

Ed married Theresa (West) Tomsche on August 28, 1954. They moved to Melrose where they raised five children. Theresa was the love of his life. Ed would be the first to say that marrying Theresa was the best thing that ever happened to him. Shortly before Ed’s passing, he told family, “Take care of your mother. I will be watching”. Their commitment and love for each other was an inspiration to everyone.

Ed and Theresa were blessed with many extraordinary friends and neighbors in the Melrose area, as well as Big Birch Lake, where they have lived for the last 25 years. Ed and Theresa also cherished spending their winters with their many friends in Sun City West, Arizona, for over 40 years.

Rooted in the rhythms of small-town Minnesota life, Ed followed in the footsteps of his father and pursued a calling in veterinary medicine. Throughout his lengthy career, Ed's dedication to generations of family farmers never wavered. Doc Tomsche was known for his skill and tireless commitment to the area farmers. He was always there when it mattered most.

Ed's ambitions extended far beyond the barn and the clinic. He was a founding partner in an array of ventures that shaped business and agriculture across central Minnesota. He was also a quiet but significant force behind many ventures that might not otherwise have taken root.

Ed is survived by his beloved wife of 71 years, Theresa; his children, Daniel (Karen Sand), David (Molly), Steven (Brenda), Mary, and Michael (Amy); twelve grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren; and sisters, Dorthy Schaefer (Ben) from Fairfax, Virginia, Agnes Cushing from The Villages, Florida, and Mary Lou Christenson (Whitey) from Paynesville.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Thomas Tomsche from Albany and Robert Tomsche from Sauk Centre.

Ed Tomsche lived a full and purposeful life — one measured not just in the animals he healed or the businesses he built, but in the rich friendships he had and in the family Ed and Theresa created together. Ed was our fearless leader. He will be deeply missed and long remembered by his wife, his family and his friends.

Ed’s family want to thank everyone at St. Cloud CentraCare Hospice for their extraordinary kindness and professionalism. The family also wants to thank those that participated in Ed’s care in the last few years. You are all angels.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Cloud CentraCare Hospice.