Thomas Edwards

Funeral services for Thomas (Tom) James Edwards, 84, of Killdeer, will be 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 28, 2012 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Killdeer, ND with Pastor John Simonson officiating. Military Rites will be by the Ezra Barrows Post #46 of Killdeer following the Funeral Service. Burial will be on Thursday, November 29, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. CST at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Mandan, ND.


Visitation for Tom will be from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 27, 2012 at Stevenson Funeral Home, Killdeer, ND with a Prayer Service being held at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue on Wednesday one hour prior to the service.


Tom passed away Friday, November 23, 2012 at the Hill Top Home of Comfort in Killdeer.


Tom was born the son of Clarence and Mathilda (Dahl) Edwards on July 10, 1928 in Killdeer, ND. He grew up in Killdeer, graduating from Killdeer High School in 1946. He enlisted into the army in 1951 stationed at Camp Mendel, CA and was honorably discharged in 1956 as a PFC-Specialist 1st Class. Tom married Evelyn (Schueler) Lambert on November 17, 1955 in Sidney MT and made their home on a farm near Killdeer and later in Bismarck and Minot. Two children were born to this union, Joan and James along with her children, Michael and Karen. Tom studied for his real estate license while living in Minot and upon successfully completing his realtor license testing, he held the highest score in the state of ND. Tom and Evelyn later divorced in 1969. After working for Minot Reality, he moved back to Killdeer where he purchased Sadie’s Bar, later known as Tom’s Bar. In 1971, he married Gloria Fox in Manning, ND. The family grew together with the addition of her children Debbie, Arnie, Julie, Laura, and Eddie. They continued to make Killdeer their home and raised Gloria’s children. In 1980, Tom met Emma (Whiteowl) Finley. To this union was born: Allen, Mathilda, Thomas Jr., and Mindy, along with her children: Edward, Ricky, Jason, Nina, and Lana. Tom and Emma raised their children three miles north of Killdeer on the family farm. Through the years, he worked in the oilfield as a roustabout & oil rig worker, heavy equipment operator with Bang Construction, a carpenter with Wetsch Construction, along with custom fencing. Tom was a life long member of the American Legion, NRA, former member of The Elks, and ND Realtor Association. Tom enjoyed driving around the countryside with his friends, hunting, fishing, shooting pool and gardening. But his favorite past time was spending time with his family and cooking on the holidays.


Tom is survived by his lifelong companion Emma (Whiteowl) Finley; his children, Joan (Andrew) Kulish of Anchorage, AK, James Edwards and his girlfriend Linda, of Everett, WA, Allen Edwards of Mandaree, ND, Thomas Jr. of New Town, ND, Mathilda Edwards of New Town, ND and Mindy of New Town, ND; step children, Michael Lambert, of San Rafael, CA, Karen Smalley of Victor, MT, Debbie Fox of New Town, ND, Arnie Strahs, of Mandaree, ND, Laura Fox of Mandaree, ND, Julie (Doug) Tescher Medora, ND, Eddie Strahs of New Town, ND, Edward Finley of New Town, ND, Ricky Finley of Mandaree, ND, Jason (Toni) Whiteowl of New Town, ND, Nina Finley of Mandaree, ND, and Lana Finley of Mandaree, ND; sister-in-law, Phyllis Edwards of St Clair Shores, MI; 12 grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild; 14 step grandchildren and 6 step great-grandchildren, a long with his nieces and nephews.


He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters and spouses, Florence (Joseph) Wetsch, Thelma (George) Fenton and Ione (Al) Ungerecht; a brother, David Edwards; wives, Evelyn Edwards and Gloria Fox Edwards and a step-grandson, Tanner.


Click to View Program (PDF)


Burial Date: November 28, 2012
Funeral Home Killdeer, ND

Funeral Service: Wednesday, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Killdeer, ND