Thomas William Galleger Jr.

Thomas W. Galleger Jr., DDS, 82 of Devils Lake ND passed away on Thursday, September 17, 2020, rural Devils Lake doing what he loved, hunting with dear friends.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, September 23, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at the Elks Galleger Band Shell, Devils Lake with the Very Reverend C.F. Wilhelm celebrating the Mass. In case of inclement weather, the Mass will be at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Military Honors will be accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team.  

Due to COVID-19, please keep your health and safety and that of others in mind when attending the service.  Stadium and picnic table seating available.

Thomas William Galleger Junior was born on December 2, 1937 to Clara (Knutson) and Thomas W. Galleger Sr.  He was born in the Lucca North Dakota.  As a young boy, Tom moved with the family to Devils Lake, attended school there and graduated from Central High School with the class of 1956.  He continued his education at the University of Minnesota, earning his Doctorate of Dental Surgery (DDS) in 1962. 

Tom entered the United States Army as a 1^st Lieutenant in the Army Dental Corp on August 17, 1962 and was honorably discharged from active duty on May 31^st, 1965 with the rank of Captain. He continued with the reserves until May of 1968. 

Tom was united in marriage to Joan Wallis Miller on June 25, 1960.  After his discharge, they established their home in Devils Lake where they lived, worked and raised their family.  Tom started in private practice, retiring in December of 1999 after 35 years.  After retirement, Tom and Joan wintered in Playa del Carmen, Mexico each year and made many new friends.

Tom was very civic minded.  He was a member of the Lions Club and a Rotarian.  He was active in the ELKS, serving as an Exalted Ruler and Trustee for many years. . He was a member of the Devils Lake Community Elks Band for 50 years as a clarinet player and served on the Band Board.  He served as president and also treasurer of the North Dakota Dental Association for many years and as president of the Lake Region District Health Unit. 

Tom loved the outdoors, fishing, campfires and hunting every species that had a hunting season.  He enjoyed many years hunting elk in Colorado with his son and family.

Tom proudly served his country, his community, his dental colleagues and associations. But first and foremost, Tom was a devoted husband and loved his children and grandchildren with all his heart. He was so proud of them as they came to embrace many of his life’s interests. 

Tom’s loving family include his wife of 60 years Joan; four children Kelly (Todd) Studer of Loveland, CO,  Lynn (Gary) Hellenga of Bozeman MT, Susan Brady, also of Loveland and Thomas Galleger III of Telluride CO; nine grandchildren Anne Studer, Los Angeles CA, Shelby Studer, Denver CO and Kacey (Cody) Young, Windsor CO-Alexander Hellenga and Braeden Hellenga of Bozeman-Ryan Brady, Loveland and Elizabeth (Jeffrey) Coffman, Aurora CO-Thomas Galleger IV and Emma Galleger both of Telluride; great grandchildren Seeley and Rosey Young; brother Jack (Avis) Galleger, Eden Prairie MN; sister Margret Harnan, St. Anthony MN; brother-in-law Jim (Dorothy) Miller, Devils Lake and many beloved nieces, nephews and their families. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and his siters Patricia Floer and Helen Jorgenson. 

In lieu of flowers, please direct memorials to the Devils Lake Community Elks Band.