Hammon Becken

Hammon (Tom) Thorwald Becken was called to be with his Heavenly Father on May 5,

2025, passing peacefully while surrounded by his loving family. A man of faith and high

integrity who valued hard work, community and family, Tom leaves behind a legacy as a

highly-driven and accomplished business and community leader as well as a loving

husband, father, grandfather and friend.

Tom was born May 15, 1936 in St. Paul, MN as the oldest of 6 children. He graduated

from Harding High School in 1954, and attended Valparaiso University before returning

to Minnesota in 1957 to work for the family-owned and operated ready-mix concrete

company started by his grandfather. He would continue working at Cemstone and TCC

Materials for more than 68 years, leading the construction materials business as

President, CEO and eventually Chairman of the Board.

Tom was a member of the first-ever class at Gethsemane Lutheran School in

Maplewood, Minnesota where, years later, he met his future wife, Kay, when she was a

teacher there. His lifelong connection to Gethsemane Lutheran Church, closely tied to

the school, was a cornerstone of his faith journey. Intertwined with his faith, Tom's

relentless work ethic, high principles and strong character were foundational to his

numerous accomplishments as a businessman and leader. A true "east sider," Tom

cared passionately for and gave generously to his community, to ensure it remained

strong and vibrant. He was devoted to board work, serving on the St. John's

Hospital/Healtheast Board of Directors, and the Ramsey County Fair Board of Directors,

as well as industry boards including Aggregate and Ready Mix Association (ARM) and

National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA). He loved being part of the

Winter Carnival Vulcans, highlighted by his role as Vulcanus Rex in 1979. Tom was also

a proud and faithful supporter of 4H and the Lions, Concordia Academy, Northwestern

College, St. Olaf College, several nature-based preservation centers, and countless

other organizations that aligned with his values.

Tom's unwavering commitment to the concrete industry and leadership in growing

Cemstone and TCC Materials - now in its 5th generation of family ownership and

operation - solidified the company's reputation in concrete innovation and drove its

expansion throughout the Upper Midwest and nationally. Tom served in numerous

industry associations, sharing his knowledge and experience to help those around him

succeed, too. Some of Tom's most notable recognition included receiving the

Distinguished Member of the Builder's Exchange (1999), Lifetime Achievement Award

from Aggregate and Ready Mix Association (2000), the William B. Allen Award from

National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (2012), the Family Business Award from

Twin Cities Business (2015) and the Lifetime Achievement Award from Associated

General Contractors (2019).

Tom cared deeply about people, and his actions perfectly reflected what was most

important to him; he loved work, not motivated by personal gain, but so that he could

provide for and create opportunities for other people. In between his work, he enjoyed

spending time working on projects at his home on the North Shore, and also loved

spending time in Florida, with his mom Sally, Kay, his children and their families, as well

as dear friends. Through the years, he was an avid biker and enjoyed skiing and

boating. Tom enjoyed road trips with Kay, to visit her relatives in southwest Minnesota

He particularly enjoyed traveling with his family, hosting several memorable vacations

with his children and grandchildren together as a group, including experiences both

nationally and internationally, even traveling to Norway to meet his relatives. His

grandchildren deeply respected and admired Tom, and were blessed by his generosity,

sly sense of humor and genuine love for each one of them and their unique interests

and talents.

Whenever we see the signature "Cemstone blue" concrete trucks rolling down the road

or the crisp American flag waving proudly in the wind, we'll remember Tom's legacy - a

testament to his strong character, attention to detail, and unwavering belief that hard

work paves the way for opportunity.

Tom is preceded in death by his parents, Thor and Sally, brothers and sisters David,

Harvey, Sallyann and Linda, as well as Karen Becken (Sweitzer). Tom is survived by his

wife of 57 years, Kay, brother Steve Becken (Jean), brother-in-law Bill Rentschler

(Diane), children Heidi Lundahl (Don), Thor Becken (Jane), Tim Becken (Roxane),

Jennifer Reinhard (Scott), Eric Becken (Heidi), grandchildren Emily, Ryan, Anne (Mike),

Erica (Matthew), Thomas, Megan, Jonah, Benjamin, Katherine, Claire, Maia, Cecilia

and Henry, and great-grandchild William.

A special thank you to the doctors and nursing staff at the Trauma unit at Regions

Hospital, who took extraordinary care of Tom to ensure his final days of life were

peaceful and dignified, absent of pain and focused on time with his loving family.

Visitation is scheduled from 3:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at

Gethsemane Lutheran Church (2410 Stillwater Rd. E., Maplewood, MN 55119). A

memorial service in Tom's honor will be held May 15, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. at

Gethsemane Lutheran Church, with luncheon to follow at Inwood Oaks Event Center

(484 Inwood Avenue N., Oakdale, MN 55128). Livestream of the memorial service will

also be available for viewing at Inwood Oaks Event Center. Private family internment to

follow the luncheon. Memorials preferred to Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Concordia

Academy (Roseville) Endowed Scholarship and Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities.