Tom Estrem, 97

Tom Estrem, age 97 of Dennison, passed away Tuesday, July 3, 2012 at the Long Term Care Center of the Northfield Hospital. Funeral Services will be 10:00 am Monday, July 9th at the Dennison Lutheran Church with burial at the Stanton Cemetery with full Military Honors. Visitation will be 2:00-5:00 pm Sunday, July 8th at the Bierman Funeral Home in Northfield and at the Church on Monday 1 hour prior to Services.

Thomas Alvin Estrem was born May 11, 1915 in Dennison, Minnesota, son of Nels and Marit (Haugen) Estrem. Tom’s father passed away in 1917 and his mother worked from her home and raised 5 children. Tom was confirmed at Vang Lutheran Church, attended school in Dennison and then began working for area farmers as a hired man. In 1934 he joined the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) and worked on projects in northern Minnesota for 2 years returning to the Dennison area as a farmhand.

As WWII began Tom joined the U.S. Navy and served as a gunner as part of the armed guard escorting merchant marine ships. He had over 30 crossings of the Atlantic going to ports from Northern Africa to Mermansk, Russia. He was transferred to the South Pacific and was discharged in 1946. Upon return to Dennison, he began a long career at the Faribault Canning Company as a mechanic and later as night shift superintendent. On September 18, 1948 he was united in marriage to Daphne Marie Swarts of Dennison. They made their home in Dennison raising their two sons.

Tom enjoyed many trips to northern Minnesota fishing with friends and family and he was an avid pheasant hunter. He was a member of the Dennison Volunteer Fire Department, the VFW (Last Mans Club) and the American Legion. During retirement he and Daphne traveled throughout the United States and took a lengthy trip to Norway and Denmark. In 1982 he volunteered to monitor the new city water system in Dennison. He loved playing cards, especially euchre, and enjoyed being with his Dennison friends.

Tom Estrem is survived by son Nels Estrem of Dennison; nephew LeRoy Swarts III of Northfield; nieces Starr (Ron) Mickelson of Dennison; and Tera (Richard) Lyons of Rochester. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Daphne; son John; sisters Selma Carlson and Thea Vorlander; brothers Alfred and Norman Estrem.

Funeral arrangements by the Bierman Funeral Home of Northfield.