Thomas Follstad, of Elcho, died Monday, July 17, 2017 at Tomahawk Heath Services under the care of Aspirus Hospice. He was 79 years old. He was born on September 16, 1937 in Elcho, a son of the late Wadel and Odile (Teeters) Follstad. He married Joyce Wachal Fesing of New Holstein, the couple later divorced.
Tom was a graduate of Elcho High School, class of 1956. He served in the United States Navy from 1956 to 1960.
He was employed at Tecumseh Products Company in New Holstein for 40 years. Following his retirement he returned to Elcho.
Tom was a member of the Noetzelman-Boodry American Legion Post 377, Elcho.
He was an avid reader. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, making sauerkraut and baking for others. He loved spending time with his friends and family. He will especially be remembered for his contagious laugh.
Survivors include a son, William (Freddie) Follstad of Tomahawk; three daughters, Pamela (Michael) Konen of Kiel, Jodi (James) Schumacher of Brothertown and Jill (Brian) Westermeyer of Howards Grove; eight grandchildren, Sherri Follstad, Samantha (Wesley) Sandman, Jenny (fiancée Marshall) Konen, Jean (Jesse) Heller, Colton Boeckman, Blake Boeckman, Amanda (fiancée Ryan) Wilkens and Amber Wilkens; six step-grandchildren, Jordan Schumacher, Jessica Morrison, Ryan Hawkins, Jenna, Adam and Hunter Westermeyer; two great-grandchildren, Madison and Greyson;
two sisters, Jean Porten of Eagle River and Judy (Mike) Black of Deerbrook; a brother, George (Julie) Follstad of Tampa, FL;
special friend, Pat Summers of Elcho; Pat's children, Stephen (special friend Pam Jansen) Grota of Elcho and Dana (Keith) Palubicki of Elcho; and grandchildren, Grace Palubicki, AJ and Megan Jansen. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Kay (Richard) Sands; a brother, James Follstad; brother-in-law, Chuck Porten; and niece, Michelle Koss.
A memorial Mass will be held on Thursday at 11:30 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church, Elcho with Rev. Dave Zimmerman officiating. Burial will take place in Elcho Cemetery where Elcho veterans will conduct military honors. Visitation will be Thursday at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass.
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Elcho, Wisconsin 54428
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Elcho, Wisconsin 54428
7 people have supported the family by purchasing them flowers or gifts from the Healing Registry.
I am so sorry to hear about Tom's passing. He was a great friend of our family's and cared about everyone. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. God Bless.
I was so sorry to hear about Uncle Tom. I too will remember his laugh, his visits to Pelican, or going down to the farm to chat with him and grandma. I remember as a young girl, Uncle Tom was either living or visiting around the lake at the time. One fine Pelican morning Uncle Tom took us fishing in Mud Bay. That was fun! I also remember that at times when we were younger and Uncle Tom visited the house in P.L. he would give Bonny and I some money to go down to the store and buy cookies or pick out some candy. We certainly enjoyed that!
My own sons remember going down to the farm during one of our visits to P.L.. Uncle Tom had decided to raise a few pigs at the time and my two boys had never seen such a thing....Uncle Tom gave them a mini-tutorial on how to raise a pig! So many good memories.
Uncle Tom loved to be with family and friends and always enjoyed a good visit.
Thanks to Pat as Bonny said, for loving and caring for him and the companionship you gave him.
We are thinking of our Aunt Judy, Uncle George, mom, and all our cousins and their families ....sending you our sympathy and prayers. Love, Jenny
Sorry for your Loss, Tom was a special friend to our family for many years. We have alot of good memories and did alot of laughing together. He left alot of memories for all his kindness and helpfulness. May your family be at peace for your loss. Brenda and Dale
Pam, Bill, Jodi, Jill and families,
Yes, I will always remember your Dad's infectious laugh. My best memories are from when I was a small child and we were living in Milwaukee and your Dad and Uncle Jimmy were in the Navy and would come to visit. I was small enough at the time that I could still get piggy-back and shoulder rides from them and they would play with us in the back-yard. Later in life when we were visiting Mom/Dad in Pelican Lake, we could almost always count on your Dad to make a visit over the weekend to just sit and chat and laugh his hearty laugh for awhile. Thanks to Pat for loving him and being part of his life .
Our deepest sympathy to all of you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love and God bless,
Your Cousin, Bonny Porten and husband Larry Duder
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