Thomas Shouse

A celebration of life for Thomas Shouse was held in Gregory, SD, at Stukel’s Birds & Bucks on Saturday, April 1, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. Hansen Funeral Home of Vermillion, SD, was in charge of arrangements.

Thomas was born on October 9, 1942, in Richmond, IN, to Marion Doohen Shouse of Garryowen, IA, and Wendell Eugene Shouse of White Lake, SD. Tom’s childhood was spent in Hawarden, IA, with siblings James W. Shouse and Jean Shouse Richardson. During those younger years Tom spent his time playing football, fishing with his buddies, and attending grade school at St. Mary’s when not helping at his father’s Hawarden machine shop business.

In 1957, the family moved the short distance from Hawarden, IA to Vermillion, SD, where his father began teaching engineering at the university. Tom attended and graduated from Vermillion High School where he developed his love for pheasant hunting and fishing.

After his service in the United States Army, Tom returned to Vermillion to graduate from the University of South Dakota and to claim a fellow classmate, Kay Stukel, as his bride. They were married on July 24, 1965, in Gregory, SD.

Tom and Kay lived in the Twin Cities in Minnesota for 32 years, where Tom worked at First National Bank, then he returned to school to learn a trade and worked for Sears Service. Retirement enticed them back to Vermillion in 2007 where they made their residence in the family home which Tom, in his teens, had helped his dad and brother Jim build on the Vermillion bluff. For several years, Tom and Kay both worked during pheasant hunting season at Stukel’s Birds and Bucks in Gregory, SD - Tom as a hunting guide and Kay as a cook. Tom loved his retirement back home. He enjoyed his family and friends - camping, fishing, playing cards, and living the good life.

Thomas passed away on February 11, 2023. He was preceded in death by his parents Wendell and Marion Shouse, brother James, and brothers-in-law Hal Richardson, Cal Stukel, Larry (Short) Thomas, Ron Drummond, and Royce Mattson.

He is survived by his wife Kay; his sister Jean Richardson; his son Raymond Shouse; his grandchildren Olivia, Logan, and Josephine; and his dog, Cooper.