Thomas H. Ellefson, age 76, of Woodville, Wisconsin, passed on Friday, January 24, 2025.
Tom was born December 16, 1948, to Harvey and Carmen (Porteous) Ellefson in Baldwin, Wisconsin. He grew up and attended school in Spring Valley, Wisconsin, graduating with the Class of 1967.
Shortly after graduating high school Tom enlisted in the United States Air Force and attended basic training in Amarillo Texas.
On July 19, 1969, Tom married Jan Vorlicek at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Spring Valley.
During his four years of service he was stationed in Duluth Minnesota, Phu Cat Airbase in Vietnam, Thailand, and Chandler Arizona.
After returning home, Tom and Jan lived north of Baldwin for a short time before settling in Woodville. Tom then began a career at Anderson Windows and retired in 2004 at the age of 55.
He enjoyed fishing, having taken many trips to Canada and additional adventures on the great lakes, Alaska, and numerous other local lakes and rivers. He was an avid hunter and could be found hunting turkey, deer, pheasant or whatever was in season. He loved spending time on his property in Eau Galle township where each summer, he and Jan planted a large garden with 360 hills of potatoes, eight rows of sweet corn, 225 onion sets, three rows of peas, 24 tomato plants, 24 pepper plants, and numerous other vegetables. The fruits of which were shared with family and friends.
Tom loved to travel. From Weiner runs with his friends to local meat markets, short and long motorcycle trips with Jan, and vacations with family and friends that took him to places like Hawaii, Alaska, the Mediterranean, Italy, and Spain.
Most important to him was his family, especially his grandchildren. He was their number one fan and attended every sporting event he could, even at the end you could find him watching on his computer from his hospital room.
Preceding him in death were his parents Harvey and Carmen; sister Ann Jensen and her husband Byron; sister Mary Johnson; brother-in-law Tom Vorlicek; and parents-in-law: Willie and Marie Vorlicek.
Survivors include his wife Jan; son Jon (Theresa) Ellefson and daughter Megan (Curt) Schwalen; five grandchildren: Lauren, Adelyn and Isabel Ellefson and Carmen and Cael Schwalen; brother Terry (Rhonda) Ellefson; in-laws: Toby (Peg) Vorlicek and Mary (Matt) Huepfel; many nieces, nephews, relatives and countless friends.
A Mass of Christian burial for Tom will be held on Friday, January 31, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Spring Valley.
Gathering of family and friends will be from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 31, at Sacred Heart Church prior to the service.
Burial will be in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Spring Valley with military honors by Rickerd-Danielson American Legion Post 227.
Keehr Funeral Home, (keehrfuneralhome.com) Spring Valley, is handling arrangements.
