Our History
Tompkins Funeral Home has been serving Wadena and surrounding communities for over 30 years. Tompkins was founded in 1992 by owners Terry Tompkins, Darcy and Alphonse Swiderski.
After Terry’s sudden passing in March of 2018, Darcy and Alphonse continued to operate the funeral home. They installed an on-site crematorium in the Fall of 2018. In 2022, their children Paul Swiderski and Sommer MacLeod joined the business and continue the family-owned legacy of the funeral home. The transition of ownership and operations is slowly taking place under the guidance of Darcy Swiderski, Yvonne Morris, and Brianna Haworth, all Licensed Funeral Directors.
Sommer and her husband Curtis are currently enrolled in classes to obtain their Licensed Funeral Director certificates at Mount Royal University. Paul has completed his Crematorium Technician Certificate and Sommer is also working on completing hers.
The significance behind our new logo
Our new logo, featuring a circle with leaves around our name, holds significant meaning to us. It symbolizes the concept of the Circle of Life, which encompasses both philosophical and spiritual elements.
Philosophically, the Circle of Life proposes that our journey begins at the end and ends at the beginning. It suggests that throughout our lives, we exist within a complete circle, regardless of its size or scope. This concept emphasizes the equality and interconnectedness of all individuals, as everyone ultimately follows the same path.
The Circle of Life also carries spiritual connotations that resonate with various religious traditions. It signifies the belief that nothing truly ceases to exist; instead, it transforms and takes on new forms. This notion highlights the perpetual nature of existence and the notion of eternal life in different forms. Many adherents of this belief anticipate a future life, often perceived as superior, which awaits after departing from the current one. Therefore, death is not regarded as an end but rather a new beginning, initiating another cycle within the Circle of Life.
By incorporating this symbolism into our logo, we aim to convey our appreciation for the interconnectedness of all things and the enduring nature of life itself. It serves as a reminder that we are part of a greater whole, intimately connected to the world around us.
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