Thomas J. Brossart, 69, 0f Grand Forks, ND passed away Friday, March 9, 2012, in St. Mary’s Hospital, Rochester, MN.

 

Thomas John Brossart was born January 25, 1943, in Rugby, ND to Nick and Magdalena (Voeller) Brossart. He grew up on his family’s farm in Pierce County. He was baptized and confirmed at Little Flower Catholic Church in Rugby.

 

He graduated from Rugby High School in 1961 and enlisted in the United States Air Force. He was stationed in Washington, Okinawa, and Thailand during the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged on July 7, 1965. He attended North Dakota State School of Science in Wahpeton, ND, graduating in May 1968 with a degree in Electronic Technology.  Tom and Marsha Costello were married in Little Flower Catholic Church in Rugby on October 7, 1967. They made their first home in Cedar Rapids, IA and moved to Bottineau, ND in September of 1968 when Tom began his 30-year career with NW Bell Telephone, US West and Qwest. Their two children, Christopher Jay and Carrie Ann, were born during their 17-year stay in Bottineau. Tom retired from Qwest in 1998 in Grand Forks, ND.  Tom served on the Board of Directors for both the Boy Scouts and Bottineau Winter Park Ski Area, and was a member of St. Mark’s Parish Church Council while living in Bottineau. He was also a former member of the Knights of Columbus and Eagles. Presently, he was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Grand Forks and the America Legion Post 157 of East Grand Forks, MN.

 

Tom instilled his love of the outdoors in his children. Together they enjoyed skiing, biking, hunting, and spending time in nature. Tom’s passions were many and whether he was enjoying the ski slopes in February or watching his garden grow in July, he did it with conviction and pride.  He was very proud of his three grandsons, Matthew, Nicholas, and Luke and enjoyed spending time with them in the garden, on the bike trails, and ski slopes.

 

Tom is survived by his wife, Marsha; his children, Chris of Sawyer, ND, Carrie (Paul) Tobkin, Detroit Lakes, MN; grandsons,  Matthew, Nicholas, and Luke Tobkin; his brothers, Edward, Al, and Nick (Gloria Grove), all of Rugby, ND; his sisters, Lucille Massine and Ann Brossart both of Minot, ND, Viola Collins, Rugby, ND, Betty Brossart, Devils Lake, ND and Marcelle Brossart, San Leandro, CA and several nieces and nephews.

 

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Tony, Daniel, and Raymond and sister, Monica Levine.

 

Memorials in Tom’s memory can be made to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 3001 Metro Drive, Suite 100, Bloomington MN 55425 or online at www.JDRF.org phone 952-851-0770.

 

Memorial Mass: 1:00 p.m. Thursday, March 15, 2012, in Holy Family Catholic Church, Grand Forks, ND.

Family Greeting: One hour prior to the liturgy in the church on Thursday.

Interment:  At a later date with Military Honors.