Obit: Loos, Thomas G. (1943 - 2022)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Loos, Kruger, Miller, Wilson, Jakobi, Lathrop, Bennett, Rondorf, Johnson

----Source: Cuddie Funeral Home (Loyal, Clark Co., WI) 5/10/2022

Loos, Thomas G. (12 May 1943 – 6 May 2022)

The Loyal community was saddened by the passing of lifelong resident Tom Loos on Friday, May 6, 2022, at his home.

Thomas Gilbert Loos was born on May 12, 1943, in Greenwood, to Gilbert C. and Dorothy "Jean" (Kruger) Loos. He grew up on the family farm northeast of Loyal. Tom attended St. Anthony's Catholic School for eight years, and graduated from Loyal High School in 1961. After graduation he served in the U.S. Army from September 6, 1961, until his honorable discharge on September 5, 1964.

On October 9, 1965, Tom and Betty Miller were united in marriage at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Loyal. He was employed at Kobiske Industries, in Loyal, until 1970, when they purchased their present home and he established Tom's Welding business, which he operated until his recent illness slowed him down. The welding shop produced countless pieces of equipment from pitching machines, power wagons for grain, wood splitters, trailers, and more.

Tom had many interests in his life. His expertise in machine tooling, welding, and metal fabrication, was well known in the area, yet he was very humble about those accomplishments. He enjoyed NASCAR racing in his younger years. Tom built a stock car, which was the start of 20 years of dirt track racing in the Central Wisconsin area. As time passed, and their family grew, tractor and truck pulls were the hobbies they worked on together, with the Loyal Corn Festival the highlight of the year. Being a farm boy, he liked field work, especially combining. Tom also had a love for flying, and flew for several years after acquiring his small plane license.

He was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church, was a volunteer fireman for the City of Loyal, a member of the Loyal American Legion, was the grader operator for the township of Loyal for 17 years, also serving as the town chairman.

Tom's wife, children and grandchildren were very important to him. He will be dearly missed by his wife, Betty, of Loyal; his sons: David (Kim) Loos, Richard Loos (Mary Wilson), and Vaughn (Bethany) Loos, all of Loyal; daughter: Cherilyn (Ryan) Jakobi of Marshfield; four grandchildren: Jenna and Loryn Jakobi, Sam Lathrop and Anna Loos; two brothers: Bob (Jackie) Loos of Loyal, Mike (Pam) Loos of Marshfield; his sister: Pat (Glen) Bennett of Loyal; and his brother-in-law: Ray Rondorf of Loyal.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his sister: Betty Rondorf; and one brother: Leonard in infancy.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 16, 2022, at St. Anthony Catholic Church, in Loyal. Fr. Leo Johnson will officiate, and burial will follow in the parish cemetery, with military rites conducted by the Loyal American Legion Post 175. Pallbearers will be David Loos, Richard Loos, Vaughn Loos, Ryan Jakobi, Bob Loos, and Mike Loos. Visitation will be held on Sunday, May 15, 2022, at St. Anthony Catholic Church from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., and again on Monday from 10 a.m. until time of services. Services will be live-streamed on the church website, www.stanthonyloyal.org, for those who are unable to attend.

God blessed Tom with a wonderful family who helped care for him in his final weeks so he could remain at home. Thank you to his children and their families.

In lieu of flowers, Tom's family asks that memorials be given in his name to St. Anthony Catholic School or to the church.