Tom Graesser

Funeral services for Tom Graesser were held on March 5, 2022, at 2:30 p.m. at the Prairie View Gospel Barn in Gregory, SD, with Pastor Gary Graesser officiating.

Music was provided by Darrel Fickbohm and Geoff Smith, soloists. Diane Smith and Debbie Wells were in charge of registration, and flower attendants were the Valley Reading Circle.

Casket bearers were Rod Graesser, Lue Graesser, Ronnie Shattuck, Terry Osnes, Terry Cousins, and Bob Serr. Honorary casket bearers were Tom’s grandchildren. Interment was in the IOOF Cemetery in Gregory, SD, with military honors presented by the

Dallas Legion and the National Honors Team. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Tom Graden Graesser was born in Tripp County, SD, on the family farm, November 21, 1921, to Lee Roy and Minnie (Birch) Graesser. He was the fourth of five children and grew up on the farm in Valley Township. He went to East View country school, which was located one mile west of the farm. He graduated from Gregory High School in 1938. Tom was awarded a full ride scholarship to attend SDSU at Brookings, SD, but had such a love of the farm, he chose to stay and work with his dad. He took over the farm after his father passed.

Tom joined the military on March 30, 1945, at Fort Snelling, MN. He was originally trained as an army ranger for the invasion of Japan. After the atomic bombs were dropped, they changed to military police for the occupation of Japan. Tom served as a corporal with the 720th BN in Tokyo, Japan. He was a guard and driver for General Douglas MacArthur. Tom referred to General MacArthur as a “Fighting Machine.” Tom was honorably discharged at Fort Lewis, WA, on December 1, 1946, and returned to the family farm.

Tom met Neomia Ruth Brant at the Paxton Methodist Church. They were married on August 20, 1949, in Tripp County. To this union, four children were born: Penny, Cindy, Lee, and Ross.

Tom frequently talked about his many fond memories of childhood and attending the country school with his cousins. He was a good fisherman and enjoyed fishing with his grandchildren. He enjoyed watching the many game shows on TV, was an avid reader, and loved doing the crossword puzzles. Tom always enjoyed visiting and sharing old stories.

In 2009, Tom was selected to fly to Washington, DC, on the South Dakota Honor Flight. During the two-day event, Tom was able to share stories, meet current and past senators, and visit multiple monuments including the WWII Memorial.

When asked for his words of wisdom on his 100th birthday, he said, “When you feel like the day has gone all wrong, don’t worry; sleep on it — tomorrow is another day.”

Tom was the longest serving member of the Valley Township Board, serving 60 plus years. Tom was instrumental in starting the rural fire department and helped to build, and later maintain, the first telephone lines in the Valley Township. Tom served several years on the local school board. Tom milked cows for many years, raised hogs, and had Hereford cattle.

Tom passed away on February 27, 2022, at the Winner Regional Healthcare Center at the age of 100 years.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Neomia, of 43 years; parents; three brothers: Doug, Alfred, and Russ; sister Dorothy Osnes; sisters-in-law Clara, Nancy, Winona, and Agnes; brother-in-law Herman; inlaws Clayton and Dessie Brant; and several Brant brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

Tom is survived by his four children: Penny Graesser (Jerry Portice, deceased), Lakewood, CO, Cindy (Dennis) Vaughn, Dallas, SD, Lee (Tammy) Graesser, Gregory, SD, and Ross (Deb) Graesser, Winner, SD; grandchildren Laura (Paul) Ruger, Dallas (Karissa) Vaughn, Tina Cook (Zack), Theresa (Cody) Bartels, Christopher (Kim) Vaughn, Tom, Natalee, Molly, and Hope Graesser; thirteen great-grandchildren; brothers-in-law Delmer Brant, MN, and Norven Mayer, Norfolk, NE; sister-in-law Opal Houck, Huron, SD; and many nieces and nephews.