Thomas L. Vilandre

Thomas L. "Tom" Vilandre, 84 of Devils Lake formerly of Crary, ND passed away at his home in the loving care of his family and Altru Hospice. Mass of the Resurrection for Tom will be held on Monday, February 15, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake with the Very Reverend C.F. Wilhelm celebrating the Mass. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Sunday, February 14th from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 4:00 p.m. The Rosary will be led by the Knights of Columbus. Visitation on Monday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral Mass. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Crary in the spring of 2016. Thomas Leo, son of Ernest and Nora (Coyne) Vilandre was born on July 8, 1931 at Devils Lake, ND. He was reared and educated in the Crary area and graduated from Crary High School with the class of 1949. Tom would live his entire life in the Lake Region area. Tom fell in love with his beloved Agatha Thompson and they were the proud parents of two beautiful children, Mary and Jason. Agatha died on November 26, 1992. Tom worked for several years at Ramsey Drug and the Gambles Store in Devils Lake. In 1961, Tom began his career of over 32 years at the North Dakota State Highway Department. His first position was as a laborer, then in February of 1962 was advanced to equipment operator. At the time of his retirement in 1993 he had held the title of Sign Fabricator for several years. After retiring from the Highway Department, Tom worked in the custodial department at Devils Lake Public School until his failing health forced him to retire. Tom enjoyed trips to Las Vegas with friends and co-workers. He was an avid sports fan. He was always at Roller Field watching the football games, watching his nephews play hockey and boys and girls basketball during the school year. He never turned down a chance to go to Grand Forks with Donald Vang and watched UND Women’s Basketball. Tom was a frequent fixture at the White House Café, enjoying visiting with friends and the waitresses. Tom served as an Altar Server as a young boy at Sacred Heart Church at Crary. He was now a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church where he was a 10:30 Mass usher for many years and a life member of the Knights of Columbus. He also enjoyed membership in the Devils Lake Elks Lodge. Tom believed in hard work and always doing your best at any job you would undertake. He was a humble man and lived a simple life of “waste not, want not”. He displayed his wonderful sense of humor until the end. May he rest in peace. Tom is survived by his loving family. His children Mary (Jason) Thompson and Jason (Laura) Thompson; grandchildren Jordan Thompson, Jason LaRock Jr., Jaylen, Christine and Jacob LaRock, Maggie, Melinda, Dayanara, Jozette and Rexi Thompson and Rena Lohnes; great grandchildren Hunter and Reyes. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, beloved Agatha and brother Jack Vilandre.