Tom Arnold Briese

Thomas Briese, 87, of rural Fergus Falls, died Tuesday, September 11, 2018, at PioneerCare, Fergus Falls.

He was born on November 18, 1930, in Sibley County, Minnesota, the son of Arnold and Lyola (Klukas) Briese. He grew up in the Buffalo Lake, Minnesota area, where he attended school.

Tom joined the U.S. Army, and was stationed in Korea, as a construction engineer building roads and was also in the motor pool. Upon his discharge, he retuned to Minnesota, where he worked road construction in Minneapolis. It was there that he met Florence Albers and they were married on September 18, 1954. After the death of her uncle, they purchased the Zimmer farm, living there since.

In addition to farming, Tom worked various other jobs, road construction, road patrol, mechanic and driver for the local Bus Company.

He was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church, a member of the Fergus Falls VFW, a 4-H leader and a member of the Pork Producers. His hobbies included fishing, his children and grandchildren’s activities, tractor pulls and car racing.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife, Florence who died December 2, 2017; siblings and spouses, Mary Ann and Gene Pollum, Robert and Muriel Briese, John Briese and Gary DeMott, and his in-laws, Luella and Wesley Johnson.

Survivors include his children, Diana Briese (Denny Schultz) of Fergus Falls, Bruce (Gail) Briese of Roseau, Allen (Susan) Briese of Fergus Falls, Shirley (Bruce) Nelson of Erhard; grandchildren, Eric (Lindsy) Briese, Kevin Briese, Jerry (Cindy) Briese, Rebecca (Phil) Larson, Joshua (Katie) Briese, Heather Briese, Logan (Ava) Briese, Cody Briese, Teanna Nelson, Carissa (Nick) Heeter, Carl Nelson, Ethan (Andrea) Nelson, Mark (Debbie) Schultz, Terri (Alvin) Field, Leah Schultz; great-grandchildren, Wyatt, Walker, Greta, Jackson, Oliver, Charlee, Milo, Joanna, Elisabeth, Jack, Ruby, Brady (Christina), Brittni (Doug), Megan, Kacyn, and Samantha; great-great-grandchildren, Madison, Braydn, Kiera, Hayden, Edynn, Daphne and Noah. Also surviving are his sister, Judy DeMott of Lakeland, MN and sisters-in-law, JoAnn Briese of California, and Carol Payne of Altus, OK.

Visitation: 4-7 p.m. Thursday, September 13, 2018, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls and will resume one hour prior to the service on Friday.
Service: 11 a.m. Friday, September 14, 2018, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls
Clergy: Reverend John Christensen
Interment: Trinity-Faith Cemetery, Fergus Falls
Military participation by Fergus Falls VFW Post 612 and American Legion Post 30
Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls is in charge of arrangements
Online condolences may be sent to www.olsonfuneralhome.com