Thomas J. Bouta January 5, 1928 • June 28, 2023
Thomas J. Bouta January 5, 1928 • June 28, 2023
Thomas J. Bouta, 95, of Benson, Minnesota (formerly of Clontarf) died Wednesday, June 28, 2023 at his home in Scandi Haven in Benson. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 6, 2023 at St. Francis Catholic Church in Benson. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at the church with a parish prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Burial will be in St. Malachy Catholic Cemetery in Clontarf.
Thomas Junior Bouta was born January 5, 1928 in Hoff Township, Pope County, Minnesota, the son of Thomas Jule and Edith (Goulet) Bouta. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Malachy Church in Clontarf. He attended school at District 89 in Hoff Township and Benson High School through his freshman year. He was united in marriage to the love of his life, Gertrude Emma Collins, April 14, 1951 at St. Francis Church in Benson, by Father Dorr. They were inseparable and celebrated over 72 years of a happy, family and faith filled, life. He met Gert at a dance in Murdock and they loved ballroom dancing together whenever the opportunity presented itself. People always commented on how much fun it was to watch them ‘float’ around the dance floor. They walked side by side through life, enjoying the work time as much as the play time, always together.
He was brought up as a farmer and farmed with his dad and brother Wayne until 1957. He then worked for Mike Spain Feed and Fertilizer in Morris, for Chamberlain Oil in Clontarf, and in 1960 started a 30 year career at the Swift County Highway Department. He served on the Hoff Township Board, the Clontarf School Board, the Clontarf City Council, and was a volunteer firefighter for Clontarf until his move back to Hoff Township, where he built a home for his family just a stone’s throw from where he grew up!! He was a lifelong member of St. Malachy Church, served his church in every way possible and received the Bishop’s award for service to his church.
Tom loved life and would start whistling as soon as he woke up (a habit Gert broke him of early in their marriage!). He was still whistling, even while living in assisted living. He also loved to tease any and every one! He enjoyed getting together with friends and he loved family gatherings of all types, especially the big family reunions, many of which he helped organize and host. After retirement, he enjoyed traveling all over, especially with in-laws Mary and Moe and Dick and Donna. He traveled to Canada to where his dad was born and procured a copy of his French birth certificate and went on to meet many Canadian cousins!
As a young man, Tom enjoyed farming, hanging out with his siblings and their families, playing softball, touch football, bowling, and going to events with his buddies, especially dances! He took his children on camping trips all over Minnesota, supported them in all their activities, answering every call for help or assistance with projects. He welcomed their spouses and treated them as one of his own. But his favorite family were his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He loved when the grandkids came to stay, sharing his love of birds and wildlife, playing cards, games, ping pong, and taking them to the Chatter Box Cafe for breakfast, but mostly to show them off!! He lit up whenever he had a chance to be around or even just look at pictures of the great grandkids. He never failed to greet family with a big smile and a hug, and say good bye with a hug and an “I love you”.
He is survived by his wife, Gertrude; his children: Sandra (Gerald) Kill, Richard (Jayne) Bouta, Joseph (Katherine) Bouta, and Donald Bouta; eight grandchildren: Adam Bouta, Robert (Beth) Bouta, Crystal (Jason) Senske, Craig Bouta, Cody (Alisa) Kill, Jennifer Bouta (Kyle Wolters), Mitchell (Jennifer) Kill, and Andrew Bouta and 13 great grandchildren: Vienna Franey, Malakhai Bouta, Riley Senske, Sawyer Senske, Coraline Bouta, Sophia Bouta, Bishop Kill, Conrad Bouta, Clayton Bouta, Atley Kill, Aurora Bouta, Cayson Kill, and Tate Kill; sister, Margaret Johnson; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Bouta and Evelyn Commerford and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Edith, his parents-in-law, Melvin and Frances Collins, brothers: Leo (Gertrude) Bouta, Roy Bouta, Russell (Dorothy) Bouta, Francis Bouta, Wayne (Joan) Bouta, sisters: Regina (Martin) Maher, Eleanor (Joseph) Fennell, LaVerne (Elmer) Smith, Genevieve (Richard) Chevalier, Clara (Charles) Brandt, brothers in infancy: Vernon, Clarence, and Richard, in-laws: Lawrence Johnson, Raymond (Arlys) Collins, Duane Commerford, Mary (Merlin) Kavanagh, Richard (Donna) Collins, Margaret (Glenn) Kottke.
One can only imagine the glorious family reunion taking place in heaven. As for those of us left behind, we will miss him more than words can express, but know he’ll be there with a smile, a hug and an “I love you” when we arrive!
Arrangements are with the Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar. www.hafh.org.
