Thomas J. Koss, resident of New Glarus, passed peacefully on Monday, June 10, 2013, after an arduous battle with cancer.
He was preceded in death by his father, Donald Koss. He is survived by his mother, Theresa; brothers, John (Bonnie) and Jim (Robin); sisters, Diane (Mike), Donna (Bill) and Terri; as well as many cherished nieces; nephews; great-nieces; and great-nephews.
He also leaves behind five children, Jolene (Dean), Jenny (Joe), Brad (Meghan), Bonnie and Stacy (Greg); and five beautiful grandchildren, Anthony (Jenny and Joe), Travis (Jolene and Dean), Taylor and Tina (Bonnie) and Brielle (Brad and Meghan).
Tom was born in Milwaukee, WI, on August 20, 1952. He grew up and attended school in Greenfield. Growing up, he worked with his father and family as a commercial fisherman on Lake Michigan, fostering a lifelong love of fishing and all manner of outdoor adventures. Tom spent most of his time outside, often camping out for the entire weekend at Mud Lake, sneaking back home at night only to raid the refrigerator. The family also enjoyed hosting parties and fish boils with family and neighborhood friends.
In 1973, Tom married Chris Pogratz. They had two daughters, Jolene and Jenny. They later parted ways, and in 1985, Tom was married to Lori Beuth, who had two children, Brad and Bonnie, joining two families into one. Tom and Lori added one child to the family, "the glue," their daughter, Stacy. They lived in Waterford, where they ran the Fox River General Store. Tom could answer any question you had about your pet - from fish to parrots and everything in between.
In 1992, the family moved to a farm outside of New Glarus. Tom and Lori followed a dream and worked together to run a "hobby farm," raising their own livestock and enjoying a country lifestyle. The family enjoyed lots of adventures here, camping, exploring the land, hunting and fishing. They later moved the family into the town of New Glarus, where Tom lived out the remainder of his life.
Tom had a passion for so many things. He was a world traveler, photographer, writer, musician and songwriter, and rock hound. He also loved to spend as much time as possible with his children and grandchildren, often taking them out for solo adventures with their "Papa Tom." Tom could make friends with just about anyone, and did so everywhere he went. He was a kind, funny, sweet and loving man.
Tom will be sorely missed, not just by family, but by the many friends he made throughout his lifetime, and all of those whose lives he has touched.
A memorial service will be held at Barnaby's Monticello House, 149 N. Main St., Monticello, on Sunday, June 23, 2013, at 3:00 p.m.
An online memorial with guestbook is available at www.bealfuneralhomes.com.
He was preceded in death by his father, Donald Koss. He is survived by his mother, Theresa; brothers, John (Bonnie) and Jim (Robin); sisters, Diane (Mike), Donna (Bill) and Terri; as well as many cherished nieces; nephews; great-nieces; and great-nephews.
He also leaves behind five children, Jolene (Dean), Jenny (Joe), Brad (Meghan), Bonnie and Stacy (Greg); and five beautiful grandchildren, Anthony (Jenny and Joe), Travis (Jolene and Dean), Taylor and Tina (Bonnie) and Brielle (Brad and Meghan).
Tom was born in Milwaukee, WI, on August 20, 1952. He grew up and attended school in Greenfield. Growing up, he worked with his father and family as a commercial fisherman on Lake Michigan, fostering a lifelong love of fishing and all manner of outdoor adventures. Tom spent most of his time outside, often camping out for the entire weekend at Mud Lake, sneaking back home at night only to raid the refrigerator. The family also enjoyed hosting parties and fish boils with family and neighborhood friends.
In 1973, Tom married Chris Pogratz. They had two daughters, Jolene and Jenny. They later parted ways, and in 1985, Tom was married to Lori Beuth, who had two children, Brad and Bonnie, joining two families into one. Tom and Lori added one child to the family, "the glue," their daughter, Stacy. They lived in Waterford, where they ran the Fox River General Store. Tom could answer any question you had about your pet - from fish to parrots and everything in between.
In 1992, the family moved to a farm outside of New Glarus. Tom and Lori followed a dream and worked together to run a "hobby farm," raising their own livestock and enjoying a country lifestyle. The family enjoyed lots of adventures here, camping, exploring the land, hunting and fishing. They later moved the family into the town of New Glarus, where Tom lived out the remainder of his life.
Tom had a passion for so many things. He was a world traveler, photographer, writer, musician and songwriter, and rock hound. He also loved to spend as much time as possible with his children and grandchildren, often taking them out for solo adventures with their "Papa Tom." Tom could make friends with just about anyone, and did so everywhere he went. He was a kind, funny, sweet and loving man.
Tom will be sorely missed, not just by family, but by the many friends he made throughout his lifetime, and all of those whose lives he has touched.
A memorial service will be held at Barnaby's Monticello House, 149 N. Main St., Monticello, on Sunday, June 23, 2013, at 3:00 p.m.
An online memorial with guestbook is available at www.bealfuneralhomes.com.