Thomas Lee Honigschmidt

Thomas Lee Honigschmidt, 77, passed away at his home on Monday, January 22, 2024.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 27 at Shiner Lutheran Church.
Honorary pallbearers are Scott Nelson, Jennifer Nelson, John Honigschmidt, Tim Honigschmidt, Lindsay Klein and Jorie Parwani.
He was born on November 18, 1946, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Edwin and Hollice (Nelson) Honigschmidt.  
Tom grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota, graduating from Robinsdale High School. Tom and his brother Jim shared a paper route when he was in fifth grade, delivering the Minneapolis Tribune to homes in their Golden Valley neighborhood seven days a week until he was in high school. He served in the US Air Force, spending all of his years in Texas.  
Following his four years in the service, he graduated from the University of Minnesota with a BA in Urban Planning. Tom married Joan Marie Hybner on August 1, 1969 in the chapel at Bergstrom AFB in Austin. Tom loved living in Texas and as soon as he graduated from college he and Joanie moved to Texas living in Austin, Texas where he worked for Glastron Boats and Motorola.  The Honigschmidt name means bee keeper in German so Tom kept three bee hives, collecting honey to sell. He retired from Motorola in 2003.  
Tom and Joanie then moved to Shiner, where he worked several different jobs. He loved Shiner and was happiest being outside working. Tom loved to talk and could ask you a hundred questions. He was always interested in what you had to say. He also enjoyed reading history, especially Texas History.
Tom always sought out historical museums on their travels. Tom went on many pheasant hunts with his dad and deer hunting with his brother-in-law, Gene. Tom and Joanie enjoyed playing bridge and 88 dominoes. He enjoyed talking about cars and driving his 1930 Ford Model A Roadster.  
Tom was a lifelong Lutheran, being baptized in 1947 and confirmed in 1960 at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. He was a member of Shiner Lutheran Church where he enjoyed making pancakes for the Wednesday night GIFT program and serve juice and coffee at the monthly breakfast at the Methodist church Food Pantry. Tom loved the Lord and going to church and Bible Study and especially loved singing in the choir. He was also a member of the Shiner American Legion.
Survivors include his his wife of 54 years, Joanie Honigschmidt; two children, Shelley Ann Szucs (Gary) and Kurt Thomas Honigschmidt (Lena), all in Austin; three grandchildren, Archer Honigschmidt, Maxfield Szucs and Emily Szucs; sister, Donna Nelson of Minneapolis, MN; brother, Jim Honigschmidt (Mary Sue) of Hinsdale, IL; sister-in-law, Janel Hybner Mikulencak (Danny) of Baytown; brothers-in-law, Robert Hybner (Aileen) of Yoakum and Pat Hybner (Marie) of Shiner; sister-in-law,  Gwen Jones Hybner; many nieces and nephews; cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, John Honigschmidt; and brother-in-law, Gene Hybner.
Donations made be made to Shiner Lutheran Church, Building Fund.
Online condolences at Cook Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home.  www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com