Thomas Lawrence Spiekermeier

Thomas Lawrence Spiekermeier, 92 of Sheldon, North Dakota passed away, surrounded by his loving family on September 10, 2019 at Maryhill Manor, Enderlin, North Dakota.

Tom was born on February 27, 1927 on a rural farm on the N ½ section 1 of Green Township, Sheldon the son of Maria Magdalena (Meierotto) and Herman H. Spiekermeier. In 1936, his parents and family, consisting of two brothers and two sisters moved to the George Bentzinger farm one mile south of Sheldon. He attended school in Sheldon and graduated from high school in 1946. Tom engaged in the daily operation of the farm with his father, Herman.

In 1949, Tom married Constance M. Kaspari at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sheldon. Tom and Connie eventually purchased the farm from his parents and other lands and operated the farm with the help of their growing family. Tom was always grateful for living only one mile from town. It allowed him as a youth to interact with his village friends and to enjoy the benefits of the Sheldon swimming pool of which he and members of the community helped build.

Tom served on various boards and organizations during his lifetime. He was President of the Sheldon School parent/teacher association, President of Young Democrat Organization, Trustee of Dakota Chapter of Nature Conservancy, Secretary of the Ransom County 27th District Democrats, and served on the state swine improvement board.  He received the Ransom County Soil Conservation award in 1964.

Tom was a very active in democratic politics and also severed as a director on the Cass County Electric Co-Operative for 33 years from 1964-1997. He took great satisfaction in this endeavor for no one enriched the quality of life in rural America then rural electric cooperatives.

As time passed more family members joined the farm operation. This allowed Tom and Connie freedom to pursue travel and hobbies (National Park trails, photography and floral identification). Tom became a naturalist, creating descriptive floral and scenery note cards. He also made slide presentations to numerous organizations. Tom was recipient of news prints, magazine articles and had a number of his slide photographs appear on magazine covers and having pictures on publisher’s web pages.

Life was a shared adventure with Connie and seven wonderful children.

Tom is survived by his wife, Connie of Sheldon, ND; children, Tim (Judy) of Story, WY; Teresa (Peter) Tilock of Fargo, ND; Mark (Jean) of Vergas, MN; Hugh (Michele) of Grand Forks, ND; Margaret Kaspari of Peoria, AZ; Alisa (Randy) McGinnity of Wheatland, ND; Dan (Mary) of Sheldon, ND; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Tom was preceded in death by parents, brothers, A.J. and Paul Spiekermeier, sisters, Herma Shaw and Corrine Anderson.

Memorials may be given to the Enderlin/Sheldon Fire Dept. or the HEART program in Enderlin.

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