Thomas James Pikalek

Thomas James Pikalek, 69, passed away at home in Fargo, ND on Saturday May 21, 2016.

Tom was born March 2, 1947 in Milwaukee, WI, the first child to Edward & Esther Pikalek.

He spent his youth growing up in Milwaukee, WI. He attended Bethany Lutheran School, also his home congregation, and was very active in the church. He graduated from Concordia College High School in Milwaukee in 1965, where he participated in track & field, throwing shot-put. He attended Concordia Junior College in Milwaukee from 1965-67 where he was active in theater and worked on staff in the language lab and graduated with an AA in Fine Arts. He attended Concordia Senior College in Fort Wayne, IN graduating in 1969 earning a BA in Theological Studies with a concentration in European History. He attended Concordia Theological Seminary in St Louis, MO earning a Master’s of Divinity in 1973. While at seminary, he served as Vicar at Zion Lutheran Church in Morengo, IL.

He married Rose Marie Bakos in 1972 in Milwaukee, and together they raised three children.

Tom served Christ Lutheran Church in Shattuck, OK and Zion Lutheran Church in Follett, TX from 1973-77. He was ordained in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod in Tulsa, OK on June 11, 1975. From there, he was called to Zion Lutheran Church, Offerle, KS and Redeemer Lutheran, Bucklin, KS from 1977-91. He was then called to Grace Lutheran Church in Beausejour, MB Canada from 1991-96. He then moved with his family to Fargo, and served as vacancy pastor for various area churches including Immanuel Lutheran Church, Wahpeton, ND from 1996-97, Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Moorhead, MN in 1999, Christ Lutheran Church in Georgetown, MN from 2000-2002 and Trinity Lutheran Church in Twin Valley, MN from 2002-2003.

Tom was active with the camp ministries connected to the Youth Circuit & Youth District Boards in Tahlequah and Woodward, OK. He was active in leadership roles of Boy Scouts of America in KS and CO and Boy Scouts of Canada in MB. As part of his church ministry Tom enjoyed contemporary needlework, creating banners and vestments. In retirement, he relished spending time with his family. He corresponded with many friends around the world with whom he shared his profession and interests. He especially enjoyed writing and composing fiction. Tom treasured the company of his Siberian Husky Chewy, as well as visiting with friends at the North Fargo Dog Park. He was a loyal fan of NDSU Bison and Green Bay Packers.

Tom is survived by his wife, Rose Marie; son, Jonathan (Stephanie) and grandchildren, Amelia and Nicholas; son Nathanial (Holly) and grandson, Barrett; daughter, Rachel (Jack); brother Gary (Janice); sister Suzanne (John).

He is preceded in death by his parents, Edward & Esther.