Todd J. Hickman
Todd Hickman, age 62 of Morris, Minnesota, passed away Sunday, June 15, 2025, peacefully and unexpectedly.
Visitation for Todd Hickman will be held Thursday, June 19, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris, MN.
Visitation will continue from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 20, 2025, at the Morris Area Elementary School Concert Hall.
Memorial services for Todd Hickman will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 20, 2025, at the Morris Area Elementary School Concert Hall, with Reverend Michael Hanson officiating.
Burial will be in Summit Cemetery in Morris, MN.
Todd John Hickman was born on October 8, 1962, in Morris, Minnesota, to John and Mickey Hickman. He was baptized and confirmed in the St Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Morris. Todd grew up in Morris, attending Morris Public Schools and graduating with the Class of 1981.
In high school, Todd was a standout athlete — excelling in football, baseball, and basketball. He helped lead his teams to a state tournament appearance and was even a finalist for Mr. Minnesota Teen at age 17. Todd built countless friendships and lifelong relationships through his time on the field and court, memories he cherished and often talked about with great pride.
After high school, Todd attended the University of Minnesota Morris, where he played football and baseball and later earned his undergraduate degree at St. Cloud State. His education continued as he earned his masters degree in Kearney, Nebraska. That began what would become a lifelong career in coaching and education. Todd served as head football coach at UMM for many years and also coached baseball. Throughout his career, he made an incredible impact on the lives of countless students and athletes, always believing in the power of sports and education to change lives.
Outside of coaching and the classroom, Todd loved spending time outdoors. He had a true passion for fishing and treasured every moment spent on the water. He loved hunting trips with friends, and some of his best stories came from those adventures. One of his favorite places to be was on the deck at the lake, music playing, surrounded by the people he loved most. Whether at the lake, in the woods, or just out enjoying a beautiful day, Todd’s love of the outdoors was a big part of who he was.
While in Morris, Todd met the love of his life, Karie. The two were married on July 13, 1991, at Grace Covenant Church in Little Falls, Minnesota. Together, they made their forever home in Morris and welcomed five children: four daughters and one son. From the very start, they were soulmates and truly the perfect team. Together, they built a beautiful life, raising five kids side by side with so much love and laughter in their home. Their marriage was one filled with friendship, loyalty, and a deep love that everyone around them could see. They shared a love for the Morris community and poured their hearts into it — through coaching, teaching, volunteering, and always showing up for others. Morris was their forever home, and their pride in this town and the people in it ran so deep. More than anything, they were each other’s biggest supporters and best friends.
In recent years, Todd found great joy working as a paraprofessional at Morris Elementary School. He had a heart for kids and was passionate about making a difference in every child’s life he touched. Whether in the classroom, on the field, or in the community, Todd was known for his kindness, caring heart, sense of humor, and unwavering belief in his students.
Todd’s greatest pride and joy was his family. He loved coaching his son Cody during his football career at UMM — something that meant the world to both of them. He was endlessly proud to watch his daughter Cassey become a devoted mom to her four beautiful babies. He loved seeing Calley thrive in the Twin Cities, living out her dreams. He loved watching Correy play basketball throughout her high school and college career and adored her sense of humor. Just one week ago, he was helping his daughter Cortney paint the brand-new space for her dance studio — so excited to be part of her dream coming to life. Todd adored his grandchildren, cherishing every moment playing games with them, handing out endless fruit snacks and treats, and sharing his love of hunting and fishing with his grandson Beau.
After losing his beloved Karie in 2023, Todd remained the steady and loving rock for his children and grandchildren. Now, we take comfort in knowing he is back home with his sweetheart, together again, watching over their babies and grandbabies every single day. Todd passed away peacefully and unexpectedly on June 15, 2025, at his home, surrounded in love by memories of his family. He was 62 years old.
Todd is survived by his children: Cody (Michele) Hickman of Morris, MN, Cassey (Kyle) Wittenburg of Wyndmere, North Dakota, Calley (Nate Goff) Hickman of Minneapolis, MN, Correy (Brady) Birch of Jamestown, ND, and Cortney (Joey Krenz) Hickman of Morris; grandchildren: Beau, Annie, Brynne, and Baby Hickman of Morris, and Eleanor, Emmet, Emerson, and Elliot Wittenburg of Wyndmere, ND; parents: John and Mickey Hickman of Morris, MN; brother: Chad (Katie) Hickman of Plymouth, MN; sister: Shelly Hickman of Fargo, ND; parents-in-law: Leslie and Maxine Wolff of Little Falls; sisters-in-law: Kay Wolff of New York, NY, and Kristi Wolff of Little Falls, MN; nieces and nephews: Ella, Zoey, Danielle, Megan, Ben, Joshua, and Hunter; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and extended family and many friends.
Todd is preceded in death by his wife, Karie, in 2023.
Arrangements are with Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris, MN.
