Thomas Loos

     The Loyal community was saddened by the passing of lifelong resident Tom Loos on Friday, May 6, 2022, at his home.  

     Thomas Gilbert Loos was born May 12, 1943, in Greenwood to Gilbert C. and Dorothy “Jean” (Kruger) Loos. He grew up on the family farm northeast of Loyal. Tom attended St. Anthony Catholic School for eight years and graduated from Loyal High School in 1961. After graduation, he served in the U.S. Army from Sept. 6, 1961, until his honorable discharge on Sept. 5, 1964.

     On October 9, 1965, Tom and Betty Miller were united in marriage at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Loyal. He was employed at Kobiske Industries in Loyal until 1970, when they purchased their present home and he established Tom’s Welding business, which he operated until his recent illness slowed him down. The welding shop produced countless pieces of equipment from pitching machines, power wagons for grain, wood splitters, trailers and more.

     Tom had many interests in his life. His expertise in machine tooling, welding and metal fabrication was well known in the area, yet he was very humble about those accomplishments. He enjoyed NASCAR racing in his younger years. Tom built a stock car, which was the start of 20 years of dirt track racing in the Central Wisconsin area.  As time passed and their family grew, tractor and truck pulls were the hobbies they worked on together, with the Loyal Corn Festival the highlight of the year. Being a farm boy, he liked field work, especially combining. Tom also had a love for flying and flew for several years after acquiring his small plane license.

     He was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church, was a volunteer fireman for the City of Loyal, a member of the Loyal American Legion, was the grader operator for the township of Loyal for 17 years and also serving as the town chairman.

     Tom’s wife, children and grandchildren were very important to him. He will be dearly missed by his wife, Betty, of Loyal; his sons, David (Kim) Loos, Richard Loos (Mary Wilson) and Vaughn (Bethany) Loos, all of Loyal; daughter Cherilyn (Ryan) Jakobi of Marshfield; four grandchildren, Jenna and Loryn Jakobi, Sam Lathrop and Anna Loos; two brothers, Bob (Jackie) Loos of Loyal, Mike (Pam) Loos of Marshfield; his sister, Pat (Glen) Bennett of Loyal; and his brother-in-law, Ray Rondorf of Loyal.

     Preceding him in death were his parents; his sister, Betty Rondorf; and one brother, Leonard, in infancy.

     God blessed Tom with a wonderful family who helped care for him in his final weeks so he could remain at home.  Thank you to his children and their families.

     Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Monday, May 16, 2022, at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Loyal. Fr. Leo Johnson officiated, and burial followed in the parish cemetery, with military rites conducted by the Loyal American Legion Post 175. Pallbearers were David Loos, Richard Loos, Vaughn Loos, Ryan Jakobi, Bob Loos and Mike Loos. Visitation was held Sunday, May 15, 2022, at St. Anthony Catholic Church from 2 to 6 p.m. and again on Monday from 10 a.m. until time of service. Services were live-streamed on the church website, www.stanthonyloyal.org, for those who were unable to attend.

     In lieu of flowers, Tom’s family asks that memorials be given in his name to St. Anthony Catholic School or to the church.

     Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com.

     Cuddie Funeral Home of Loyal assisted the family with arrangements.