This Midwest boy was born in South Dakota and grew up in South Dakota, western Minnesota, North Dakota, and southern Minnesota. Ultimately, western MN graduating from Waterville-Elysian High School in the mid 70’s. He attended the University of St Thomas in St Paul and while working a summer job at EF Johnson in Waseca, MN met and became enchanted with his Frau. They married 2 years later after she graduated from New Ulm School of Nursing and he finished his undergraduate degree.

They spent their first couple of years of marriage in St Paul and later moved to Little Falls, MN where he worked for the Franciscan Sisters Healthcare Corp. In those years they had 3 boys. He spent his career in the healthcare field working in the finance world. They arrived in the La Crosse area in 2002 after living 13 years in Mankato, MN. Tom grew to love Oktoberfest and all German traditions because he spent a lot of time courting his New Ulm Frau. It was in New Ulm he learned to polka and waltz to the oom pah pah music. This year’s Festmaster and frau are Oktoberfest Grenadier alumni and past Grenadier Generals to the most difficult Festmaster ever!

Their pre-La Crosse lives revolved around their children – coaching basketball, baseball, church activities, and serving as den leaders, cubmaster, and assistant scoutmaster for the Mankato Boy Scouts. Tom is on the boards for Catholic Charities and Gateway Area Boy Scouts. They both have served in United Way activities in both Mankato and La Crosse. Tom’s love of basketball brought him to be certified as a referee and has served the Mankato and La Crosse area for 23 years. He still enjoys playing basketball with the old guys at Viterbo gym. They love spending time on the rivers around La Crosse either paddling or tooning with their family and friends.

Their boys and Daughter in Law live in the La Crosse area. They are blessed with 5 beautiful grandchildren.