Tanner Wickersham

In Loving Memory of Tanner Wickersham. It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved son, brother, grandson, uncle, nephew, cousin, and friend, at the age of 28. Tanner passed away on Thursday, July 9, 2026 at Saint Marys Hospital in Rochester, surrounded by his loving family. Celebration of Tanner's Life will be held at 4 PM on Friday, July 17, 2026 at Patton Funeral Home in Blue Earth, with Youth Minister Kim (Kimmy) Jacobson officiating. A time for visitation will be held 2 hours prior to the service. Reception will follow.

Tanner Alan Wickersham made our family of 5 complete when he was born on November 24, 1997, in Hudson, WI.

He attended elementary school in River Falls, WI until we moved back home to Blue Earth, MN in 2006, where he attended Blue Earth Area School District and graduated in 2016. Tanner was the kind of person who could light up a room with his smile and keep everyone laughing with his quick wit and endless jokes. His infectious laugh, warm heart, and unforgettable hugs were gifts he shared freely with those he loved. Whether you knew him for a lifetime or only a short while, Tanner had a way of making people feel welcomed and valued.

Growing up, Tanner loved spending time with family at West Point Lodge in Spooner, Wisconsin. He would fish, swim and make smore’s with “macho machos” (marshmallows) to his heart’s delight. As he got older, Tanner continued to love time spent with his family, playing video games, and making memories with his friends. He took great pride in his work ethic and was someone others could always count on. He was known for several other things he was very proud of-his impressive beard, his love of shoes and his shoe collection and his treasured deer mount, which became a beloved family tradition when it was decorated for Christmas each year. Those little traditions and the laughter they brought will forever remind us of him.

He is lovingly survived by his parents, Mark & Sheila; his sister Jana Christians, and her husband, Cody, along with their daughter, Mikayla, and son, Kayden; his sister, Alesha Alleven, and her husband, Jesse, along with their sons, Griffin and Forrest. He is also survived by his cherished grandparents, Louis and Marilyn Schaefer, as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, and countless friends whose lives were made brighter by knowing him.

He was predeceased by his paternal grandparents William Wickersham & Nadine Wickersham-Krull, Aunt Darla Schaefer, Uncle John Lacher, and Cousin Yankten Anderson.

Although Tanner's time with us was far too short, the love he gave, the laughter he shared, and the memories he created will remain in our hearts forever. We will miss his smile, his bear hugs, his sense of humor, and the joy he brought into our lives every day. Our hearts are broken by his loss, but we take comfort in knowing that Tanner's legacy lives on through the love he shared with his family and friends. He will be deeply missed, forever loved, and never forgotten.

*In lieu of flowers, please use the following link to donate to Mayo Clinic Fountain Centers in memory of Tanner Wickersham: give.mayoclinic.org.

Go to frequently asked questions/Can I designate my gift to a different Mayo Clinic program/Click on the donation form link/What would you like your donation to support/Choose Other/Other Designation: Fountain Center