Thomas A. Illg, 72
Thomas A. Illg, age 72, of New Prague, died suddenly at his home on Thursday, June 7, 2018. Tom was born on July 5, 1945 in Slayton, MN to Adolph N. and Evelyn R. (Giefer) Illg. He was raised on a farm in Ellsborough Township, graduated from Ruthton High School, and attended Granite Falls Vocational School, where he earned his degree in hydraulics. Tom served with the US Army National Guard during the Vietnam era. On December 16, 1972, he married Charlotte A. Hoffrogge in Tracy, MN. The couple made their home on a hobby farm in rural New Prague, where they raised their two children. Tom was dedicated to farming his entire life and also worked for 29 years at North Star Steel as a hydraulic technician and in general maintenance. The couple wintered in Arizona, where Tom enjoyed lawn bowling in retirement. He joined the ELKS in Arizona, enjoyed swimming and walking throughout the year, and loved a good game of Euchre with friends in Arizona. He was a perfectionist and took great pride in maintaining his farm equipment and most recently, had taken up an interest in restoring antique tractors.
Tom is survived by his wife, Charlotte of New Prague; son, Jerome Illg of Harmony, MN; daughter, Sarah (Jon) Medlin of Seattle, WA; grandchildren, Emma & Logan Illg & Eli Medlin; siblings, Beverly Sypherd of Sun City West, AZ, Brenda (Davane) Dreessen of Yutan, NE, Jackie (Darwyn) Kietzmann of Loveland, CO, Jim (Judy) Illg of Red Wing, MN, Mary (Duane) Spoelstra of Marshall, MN; several nieces & nephews as well as great-nieces & -nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-law, George Sypherd.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, June 11, 2018, at 10:00 AM at St. Scholastica Catholic Church in Heidelberg (31525 181st Ave., New Prague) with Father George Grafsky officiating. Visitation will occur Sunday from 4-8 PM and Monday morning from 7:30 – 9:30 at Bruzek Funeral Home. Burial will occur in St. Scholastica Cemetery, where military honors will be conducted. Lunch will follow at the KC Hall in New Prague. bruzekfuneralhome.com