Thomas 'Tommy' E. Kolb

Thomas Eugene Kolb, 64, passed away peacefully on August 5, 2023, in White Lake, SD.

Tommy, as his loved ones called him, was born to Edwin and Marvel (Meyers) Kolb on Nov. 27, 1958 (Thanksgiving night), at St. Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen, SD. He grew up in a large family with six sisters and two brothers, who lived on farms near Conde, Turton and finally Raymond, all in South Dakota.

Due to a medical condition, Tommy needed extra support throughout his life. Once he reached school age, he attended school in Redfield. He returned on weekends and holidays to spend time with his family, who loved him dearly and helped take care of him.

At 18, Tommy went to live at a group home, Dakota Milestone, in Chamberlain. He made many friends during his time there, and always enjoyed going back home to visit family.

Tommy loved fishing for Pike, listening to country music, especially Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire,” and celebrating Christmas. He wore a Santa hat every year and took many trips on the 1880 train, thanks to his sister Brenda. He loved riding the Holiday Express (aka1880 Train) and saw the “North Pole and Santa Claus” and rode the train back with little gifts for the kids including Tommy.

He also ran in the Special Olympics, always with a large family cheer squad. One of his favorite memories was a trip to Disneyland with Brenda and his brother Chuck and wife Margie. He rode on a plane for the first time and even got to sit inside the cabin. His days were spent loving his cat, Smokey 1 and 11 and all of Brenda’s dogs, doing odd jobs at the center, and hosting a big party every year for kids.

He was preceded in death by his dad, mom, and stepdad, Ernie Laundreaux.

His siblings include Barb Westra, Sharon (Greg) Dost, Cindy (Tom) Fahey, Patsy (Gerry) Bossman, Brenda Kolb Paulsen, Chuck (Margie) Kolb, Bill (Sherry) Kolb, Angel (Phil) Heper, and tons of nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews.

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