Service Details
Family and friends are invited to meet at St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church (3320 S. Colony Ave Union Grove 53182) on Wednesday, July 13, 2022 for a visitation from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM.
The celebration of his life and Memorial Mass will follow at 11:00 A.M.
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Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Edward West (ret.) passed away unexpectedly at the Wisconsin Veterans Home in Union Grove, WI, on July 4, 2022. Tom was born in Milwaukee to Owen John West and Emma Pauline West (nee Scholz) on September 19, 1943. He was the youngest of four brothers (Owen, Bud, Ray, Gib) and a half-sister (Dorothy).
Tom had three sons, Wade (wife Paula), Mark, and Louis. While he loved his sons, his true loves were his five grandchildren, Auctavia (Mark), Owen, Henry, Will and Hadley (Wade).
Tom enjoyed many distinct chapters in his life. He grew up in the south side of Milwaukee and outside West Bend, on Big Cedar Lake. He enjoyed the theater at West Bend high school, performing in many school plays. He also spent time with his extended family in the New Orleans area.
Tom’s first career was in the Army, as an intelligence officer. His early military years included two tours in Japan at Tachikawa Air Force Base in Tokyo. He met and married Joan Ritger in West Bend, went to Officer Candidate School and Army Language School between the two tours. Following the second tour in Japan, they moved to Monroe, Wisconsin.
Tom began his next chapter when the family relocated to Bloomington, Minnesota in 1978. He worked as an Army recruiter for many years. He also volunteered at Wade and Mark’s elementary school, leading Junior Great Books groups and serving as co-vice president and co-president of the PTA with Joan.
A year after Louis was born, Tom was in a car accident while studying for a second career as a paralegal and sustained a traumatic brain injury that would frame the second half of his life story. Following a long recovery, and with the strong support of his union, he was able to return to his job as a maintenance engineer with Minneapolis Public Schools. He retired from the district in 2006, after 21 years of service.
Tom was an active member of the Minnesota Brain Injury Association in the 1990s, attending events and advocating for awareness. Following his divorce in the mid-90s, he lived on his own in south Minneapolis in two different homes. He joined and loved attending St. Joan of Arc parish in Minneapolis.
Over the years, Tom opened his home to each of his three sons and his oldest granddaughter. He enjoyed the company, and as time passed, he began to rely on the extra help. Eventually, his family convinced him to move to a private assisted living facility in “prestigious Edina,” as he referred to it. While he enjoyed life in the same south Minneapolis area, he needed a change.
Tom’s last chapter started on an astoundingly cold January day in 2019, when he made the move back to Wisconsin—to the Veterans Home in Union Grove. Within a month, the medical team had him on the mend physically, and the new social environment renewed his outgoing personality. Tom soon found a new gear and a new lease on life. He was an enthusiastic member of the choir, the art group, and any other activity he could join. He enjoyed reconnecting with Wade and Paula and getting to know his younger four grandchildren. He always asked about each of his five grandkids by name to get an update on school, activities, and anything else they were up to. He was rightly proud of his many accomplishments, pointing out his AA medallion, Army (retired) cap, or introducing his family to his friends at the VA.
Tom had an infectious smile and ice blue eyes that lit up a room. He loved life at the VA, and they loved him back. Though his body was aging, and dementia was taking a toll on pieces of his memory, his mind was constantly making connections and his wit was quick and sharp. Staff enjoyed his wry sense of humor and positive outlook.
His sudden passing has left a void in the hearts of all who met him.
Tom is preceded in death by his parents, Owen and Emma, and two brothers Owen and Bud.
Visitation is at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, July 13 at St. Robert Bellarmine church in Union Grove. Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 AM. A celebration picnic will follow at Old Settlers Park in Union Grove.
Barry Adelman says
Tom – We never met and I just learned about your passing from your son Louis. He is quite amazing and from knowing him a little I can see he’s a “chip off the old block”. My condolences to your family, your friends. It’s obvious you will be missed.
Phil Luce says
Condolences to Tom’s family. I often enjoyed spending time with him; mostly just a couple of “out laws” and old guys talking about “stuff”.
A many faceted human being who had to face some very hard times, and in my opinion handled them better than most people could.
God bless you all: remember him with love and kindness, hold his memory in joy.
Marj Rolland says
I met Tom when we worked for the Minneapolis Public Schools. I always enjoyed his company and time we talked. He also lived for a time in my Minneapolis neighborhood. My husband and I would see him out and about and would occasionally give him a ride home from the grocery store. He was fearlessly independent so it took some convincing to get him to take a ride. Although I did not know him when he was in the Army but I was impressed with all that he had achieved. Rest in peace Tom, knowing you will be missed by many.
Dorothy Dahlmann-West Kanter says
Rest In Peace, Tom. I never met you but I wished we had. You had such a l kind face and a smile much as your brothers—Ray and Gilbert. We all share your deep blue eyes. Your son described your warmth and kindness. Which you shared readily with you family and friends. You must have been a wonderful father and grandfather and a magnificent soldier to your country.—the USA. Happy journey home, Tom
Much love,