Thomas James Hogenson's Obituary
Big Rapids - Thomas James Hogenson was born November 13, 1948, and died Saturday, March 12, 2022, in Big Rapids, after a brief but courageous battle with cholangiocarcinoma.He was born in Marinette, Wisconsin, to Robert and Virginia (Jacob) Hogenson. The family resided in Kohler, Wisconsin for much of Thomas' childhood before moving to Big Rapids in 1967, when Robert began teaching at Ferris State College, where Thomas studied in the Colleges of Business and Allied Health Sciences, and met Kathleen (Osborn) Hogenson. They married in 1971 and had one child, Anne, in 1978.In Big Rapids, Thomas began a lifetime of service to others as an emergency room nurse for Mecosta County General Hospital, eventually becoming head nurse and helping to bring Advanced Life Support EMS and other critical emergency services to the area. He later became the hospital's community relations director and ultimately the director of its fundraising foundation, helping to secure resources for renovation of the emergency department and construction of the Susan P. Wheatlake Regional Cancer Center. He also served multiple terms on the Big Rapids City Commission at that time.Following his retirement from Spectrum Health-Big Rapids Hospital in 2015 after 42 years of service, Thomas ran unopposed for mayor of the City of Big Rapids and was elected in 2017. As mayor, he advanced the Baldwin Street Bridge and Hemlock Park projects, continued to build relationships between the city, surrounding townships and Ferris State University, and was a steadfast advocate for public health and wellness, including local COVID-19 prevention measures and the Big Rapids Social Equity Initiative.Active throughout his career in such local service organizations as United Way of Mecosta County, WISE of Big Rapids, Michigan Works! West Central, the Big Rapids Chamber of Commerce, MOTA and many more, Thomas loved Big Rapids and its people, and worked tirelessly to improve their lives and resources. Prior to illness, he could often be found bicycling on the White Pine Trail, jogging throughout community neighborhoods or playing the trumpet on his front porch.He is survived by his proud wife and daughter; brothers John and Peter Hogenson; sisters Margaret (Joe) Ward and Karen (Patrick Tobin) Hogenson, and their families. While Thomas will be deeply missed, he will live on in all the ways his work continues to benefit the community that became his home.Thomas will be remembered in a public memorial service on Saturday, March 19, 2022, from 1-3 p.m. at the Big Rapids Public Safety Building, 435 N. Michigan Avenue. Visitation is scheduled for 1-2:30 p.m., followed by a brief ceremony from 2:30-3 p.m. Parking is available in the building's front parking lots and along side streets. In lieu of flowers Memorial contributions in his name may be made to United Way of Mecosta County, the Susan P. Wheatlake Regional Cancer Center, WISE of Big Rapids or Spectrum Health Hospice. Care and arrangements are entrusted to the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids. Share a memory or express condolences at mohnkefuneralhome.com.
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