Thomas W. "Goose" Greening

Thomas “Goose” W. Greening, 66 of Devils Lake, ND passed away on Friday, July 1, 2016 at his lake home, rural Devils Lake, ND. Thomas Walter, son of Walter H. and Alvina (Kleinschmidt) Greening was born on December 21, 1949 at Grand Forks, ND. He grew up in the Wales, ND area and graduated as an honor student from Border Central High School at Calvin, ND with the class of 1967. He continued his education at Lake Region Junior College, Devils Lake, graduating with a Liberal Arts Degree. Then in 1973 graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree with a major in Physical Education and minor in Industrial Arts from Valley City State College. While in college, he also worked for a time at the Nekoma Missile Site. Tom proudly served with the North Dakota National Guard from 1970 to 1977. He began his teaching and coaching of basketball and baseball at Plaza High School, then employed at Esmond Public School and later worked for the Devils Lake Public School System. In July of 1978, Tom decided to take a respite from teaching and worked for Twin City Construction, Devils Lake. From 1980 to 1981, he was employed with the North Dakota Telephone Company. In 1981, Tom decided to return to teaching and taught Industrial Arts and Physical Education at Fort Totten High School. Tom was united in marriage to Caryn Kostecki on June 9, 1979 at Devils Lake. They established their home in Devils Lake Tom would call Devils Lake home until his death. In 1987, Tom was ready for another change and he and Caryn were the owners and operators of End of the Line and also Towers Bait Shop. After those six years of hard work, Tom sold the businesses and began working for I.F. LaFleur and Sons. From 1995 until retiring in 2009, he was the Parks, Facilities and Operations Supervisor for the Devils Lake Park District. He also had several rental properties in Devils Lake. Tom always worked hard to provide for his family but when time allowed, he loved to hunt and fish, no matter the weather or season. He treasured every time he was able to watch his kids and grandkids at their activities. In the later years, fishing with family and friends was the priority and with life a little more laid back, driving around the country side, always taking in the outdoors and the beauty of nature was time well spent for Tom. He was a former member of the Knights of Columbus and Elks Lodge. Tom is survived by his loving family. His children Chad (Teresa) Greening, Devils Lake, Greg (Michelle) Greening, Audubon, MN, Brent Greening, Nicole (Waylon) Delorme and Julianne Greening all of Devils Lake and Alicia Greening, Fargo, ND; brother Don Greening, Anchorage, Alaska; grandchildren Kaylen and Garyn Hamre and Brodyn Greening, Treyson and Brooklyn Greening, Wylee, McKenna and Westyn Delorme and Buster Frederick; mother of his children Caryn (Richard) Grabowski, Selz, ND; mother-in-law Rose Kostecki, Devils Lake and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; granddaughter Kynlee Delorme; sister-in-law Catherine Greening and father-in-law Julian Kostecki. Funeral Services for Tom will be held on Wednesday, July 6, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. at Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake with Father Alex King officiating. Burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home on Tuesday, July 5th from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary, Scripture Service and Time of Remembrance at 7:00 p.m.