Thomas Michael Frendt

Thomas “Tom” Frendt, 81, of Milltown, passed away on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at his home with his loving family at his side.

Thomas was born on April 15, 1943, in the Northern Pacific Beneficial Association (NPBA) Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota, the son of Louis and Alice Frendt.

Thomas graduated from Park Senior High in 1961. Less than two months after graduation, Thomas joined the Air Force and was an Airman First Class. He spent time serving in Kansas, Alaska, Spain and New Mexico. While serving in Salina, Kansas he met Katherine, and they were married on January 22, 1966. Their wedding was the last marriage to take place in the chapel on the Schilling Air Force Base. He received an honorable discharge from the Air Force in April of 1966 while serving at the Walker Air Force Base in Roswell, New Mexico.

In March of 1967 he started employment at Northwest Airlines. Over the years he made many good friends while working at the airlines. He retired from Northwest Airlines in 2000.

Thomas loved his three children and always put his family first. He was an attentive husband and father whose priorities were to provide comfort and security for his family. He was a kind man with an amazing sense of humor who was well-respected by others. He attended every school function he possibly could and especially loved attending sports events for his children and grandchildren. He was close to his nieces and nephews and was often referred to as “Big Uncle T”. Thomas had a heart of gold and was always willing to lend a hand to those in need. He was an amazing role model to others, a man of principle who stood up for what he believed in.

He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed time spent in solitude in his deer hunting stand. Even when he had troubles walking later in life, he would take the four-wheeler to his stand to hang out. He loved deer hunting, turkey hunting, and fishing and was a wonderful provider for his family. Thomas and Katherine would plant sizable gardens, and he took pride in knowing that he had killed or grown everything that was on the table at mealtime.

After retirement, Thomas and Katherine enjoyed vacationing with friends in their camper across the U.S. Thomas enjoyed hunting long into his retirement. He restored a 1946 Ford and had a 1956 Farmall Super H tractor restored by Pete Mangelson. He enjoyed visiting with friends and family and meeting people out for lunch. Perhaps his best times were those spent with his grandchildren and attending their music and sporting events.

Tom leaves to celebrate his memory: his wife, Katherine Frendt, Milltown, children, Thomas Frendt (Patty Kocienda), Alanna (Paul) Linsmeier, and Tim (Gretchen) Frendt, grandchildren, Hannah and Katie Kocienda, Frank and Isabel Linsmeier, and Andrew and Emily Frendt, siblings, William Frendt and Donna Frendt, many nieces, nephews, great and great great nieces and nephews and other family and friends.

He was preceded by his parents, mother, Alice Frendt, father, Louis Frendt, stepmother, Gladys Frendt, sister, Lorraine Tipcke and brother, Dan Frendt.

A funeral service for Tom will be held on Friday, November 15, 2024, at Georgetown Lutheran Church at 11:00 A.M.  Pastor Diane Norstad will officiate.  Visitation will be held at the church from 9:00 A.M. until the time of service at 11:00 A.M.  Military Honors will be rendered in the church parking lot following the service by The Milltown VFW Post 6856 and the Wisconsin State Veteran Service Honor Guard.  Please join the family for lunch in the church following the honors.

The pallbearers will be Mike Tipcke, Tom Tipcke, Jeff Tipcke, Jeremy Frendt, Dan Frendt and Bill Frendt.  Honorary Pallbearers will be Jason Starnes, Jim Hughes, and Hank Mickelson.

The Kolstad Family Funeral Home of Centuria, Wisconsin has been entrusted with the arrangements.

The live stream video can be viewed at the link below.

https://youtube.com/live/NhsoX-JnMjg?si=yxnzz40BlCJgk66t