Thomas Conrad Senger

Thomas C. “Tom” Senger, 89 of Devils Lake and Crary, ND died on Friday morning, October 30, 2009 at Mercy Hospital, Devils Lake. Mass of Christian Burial for Tom will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake on Tuesday, November 2, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. with Fr. Peter Sharpe celebrating the Mass. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery with Military Honors accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars, Lake Region Honor Guard and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honor Team. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Monday from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 7:00 p.m. Julius Senger and the Knights of Columbus will lead the Rosary. Visitation on Tuesday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral Mass. Serving as Casket Bearers for Tom will be Leroy Koble, Adam Koble, Joe Yager, Leonard Birkland, Bob Davis and Dave Freidig. Honorary Bearers will be Tom’s Grandchildren and his nephews and nieces. Reading the Sacred Scriptures will be Tim Senger. Gift Bearers will be Beverley Ricker and Chuck Senger. Eucharistic Minister will be Julius Senger. Music will be provided by JoDee Lagein. Thomas Conrad Senger was born in Orrin, ND on May 7, 1920 to Thomas and Theresa (Koble) Senger. He enlisted in the United States Army at Fort Snelling on June 7, 1942 and served his country during World War II, serving with the 336th Ordinance Depot Company in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. Tom was Honorable Discharged on January 15, 1946 at Fort Lewis, Washington with the rank of Technician 5th Grade. Tom was united in marriage to Lillian Larson on July 31, 1947 in St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake. They moved to Coeur d' alene, Idaho for a time and Tom worked for Pot Latch Lumber Mill. They returned to North Dakota and lived in Devils Lake for a few years, while Tom worked at John Deere and Lillian started a hairdressing career in their home. In 1960, they moved to a farm near Crary where they lived, worked and raised their family. Lillian died on December 4, 1986. Tom continued to make the farm his home until moving to Devils Lake on December 1, 2008. Tom loved being a farmer, but also found time to be active in the church and community of Crary. He served on the Crary School Board and also drove school bus. He was also a member of the Devils Lake Eagles and Elks Lodges, the VFW and the Knights of Columbus. When he wasn’t farming, Tom enjoyed reading, playing cards and using scrap metal to make toy machinery. Recently Tom was able to enjoy a ride on a Harley Davidson motorcycle with his nephew. May Tom now rest in God’s peace. Tom is survived by his children: Beverley Ricker of Portland, Oregon and Charles Senger and his wife, Karma of Devils Lake. Grandchildren: Thomas “Tobi” Ricker and his wife, Lauren of Fargo; Kendra and her husband, Chancy Gefroh of Cando and Kacey Senger of Devils Lake; Great Grandchildren: Sam and Benjamin Ricker; Karlee and Cooper Gefroh; Brother; Julius Senger also of Devils Lake; Many cousins, nieces, nephews and their families also survive. Tom was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Phillip, Wendt, Conrad, Joe, Tony and Butch Senger and sisters, Margaret Yager and Evelyn Schneider-Young.