Tomas Hafele
July 30, 1945 - March 14, 2017
Obituary
Thomas A Hafele was born on July 30, 1945 in Glendive, Montana and passed away on March 14, 2017, in Billings, Montana. He was preceded in death by his parents. Tom graduated from Richey High School in 1964 where he was an accomplished athlete and held track records in the 440. He received a track scholarship to Dickinson State College where he received his BA in Education and taught school in Mandaree, North Dakota. Tom married Mae Chrest in 1968 with whom he had two children. Tom is survived by his daughter, Pam Hafele Cullinan (Bob), grandson, Dillon; son Troy Hafele (Val) of Glendive, Montana; sister Elaine Hafele Swanson (Dave), niece, Erin Swanson of Wells, Nevada; sister Marian Hafele Reidelbach (Clarence), nephew Scott Reidelbach and niece Cara Reidelbach Hicks (Brad) of Big Timber, Montana. Tom is also survived by his cousins David, Bernie, Lee, and Bill Greiman; Barb, Bruce, Steve, Debra, and Teresa Richert; Anne Greiman Freistone, Karen Greiman Reilly, Katie Greiman Gerke (deceased), Sandra Greiman Schwartz; and John Sura and Dan Caruso. Farming was Tom's great love and fishing wasn't far behind. Summers found Tom on the river enjoying the great outdoors with his friends, children and grandson. His vegetable and flower gardens were legendary. His daughter, Pam, recalls he never wanted help with hoeing as he could always do it best. A stickler for details, Tom was known to give explicit instructions on how to pick raspberries in the proper way. His favorite pastime was hunting agates along the sandbars of the Yellowstone River and he spent many happy hours cutting and polishing agates in Troy's garage. He reluctantly grew to love Dillon's dog, Romo. For the past ten winters, Tom enjoyed fishing and boating on the Colorado River near Parker, Arizona. He was a natural storyteller and enjoyed the company of his friends. Special people in Tom's life included his coach, Joe Whisonant and lifelong friends, Monte Fulton, Jim Soft, Don Klempel, Harvey Hamburg, Herb and Ralph Allard, and departed friend, Leroy Bauxbaum. Mike and LaRae Hagel invited Tom on many camping and fishing trips at Tobacco Gardens on Lake Sacagawea in North Dakota. These weekends were some of the happiest in Tom's life. Funeral services will be held at the Savage Lutheran Church on Saturday, March 18 at 11 am. Reception to follow. On a fine Spring day, Tom's ashes will be scattered among the wild flowers at the farm.
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Memories
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Erin Swanson
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You are loved and missed, Uncle Tom. I always adored this photo taken in 2009 when you visited San Diego. You were always up for an adventure and you were impressed with the beaches!
LH
LaRae Hagel
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You were such a great friend and we had many fun times together. Canning peaches will never be the same without you. You will forever be in our hearts, there will never be another Tom, missing you very much buddy. LaRae and Mike Hagel
ES
Erin Swanson
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Tom with his home-grown celery plant last fall (October 2016). We miss and love you, Uncle Tom!
FF
Frona Fileccia
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Tom , We will miss You. , we will miss the Fun times , with You making Lunch for us, The Hikes we took together and all the Special times We Visited with You, You were most Kind and loving always a twinkle in Your Eye , Be have up there , You Will be Happy and at Rest. You are with God now, Tom Hafele has left the Building " We shed Tears and sadness in our Hearts,
DC
Deb Chouinard
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I met Tom after I became Leroy's daughter-in-law, and at first I wasn't sure what to make of him. It didn't take me long to make my decision, salt of the earth, a good man through and through. My sincerest sympathies to his family, I know he will be missed. Hold the good memories close and let them be of comfort, and know that Leroy is there waiting for a good visit with him. Deb Chouinard
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Cindy Greiman
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WHEN I MET TOM MANY YRS AGO WHEN HE 1ST CAME TO BERNIE GREIMAN. HE WOULD SIT AT THE TABLE WAS A MAN OF FEW WORDS. UNTIL HE GOT TO KNOW ME. ONE WORD HE SAID WAS YEAH. TOM HAD THE BEST SMILE AN LAUGH. SEPT HE WOULD CALL. SAY YOUR RED PLUMS ARE READY BETTER GET THEM. I WOULD LEAVE WITH A 5 GALLON PAIL OF PLUMS AND ANY OTHER GARDEN FOOD HE HAD. VERY HARD WORKING MAN WHO WAS A GREAT FRIEND. DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO TOMS FAMILY. HE WILL BE MISSED.