Thomas J. Brannan

Thomas J. Brannan, 93 of Devils Lake ND passed away on Saturday evening, December 3, 2022 at Eventide Heartland Care Center with loving family at his bedside.

Visitation for Tom will be at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Friday, December 9, 2022 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 7:00 p.m.  The Rosary will be led by the Knights of Columbus and a 4^th Degree Honor Guard.

Mass of Christian Burial is on Saturday, December 10, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Reverend Joseph Littlefield celebrating the Mass. 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. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery. The funeral Mass will be live streamed at facebook.com/stjosephdvl. As a gift to the family, please include your mailing address on all condolences.  Thank you. 

Thomas James Brannan, son of Frettia and Julia (McGovern) Brannan was born on September 1, 1929 at Bisbee ND.  He grew up on the family farm in the Bisbee area, attended Bisbee Public School and graduated from Bisbee High School.  He participated in several sports, and held the North Dakota track record as a mile runner for many years. He continued his education at the ND State School of Science in Wahpeton receiving a degree in mechanics.

Thomas was united in marriage to his beloved Ferne Bonn on October 21, 1950 at Cando ND.  He was soon called to serve his country with the United States Army on February 21, 1951. Tom proudly served during the Korean War, was injured and also a POW for part of his service. He was awarded the Korean Service Medal with 2 bronze stars, United Nations Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Army Occupation Medal (Japan). He was honorably discharged on February 13, 1953 with the rank of PFC.

Tom returned to his bride and they established their home in Devils Lake where they would live, work and raise their family through the years. Tom was an entrepreneur and was the owner and operator of Toms’ Texaco, later Toms’ Westland Oil for a total of 26 years. He wanted to remain active so he used his skills and talent working at Stoudt Ford and the Gamble-Robinson Warehouse. He retired from Mercy Hospital after 16 years in the maintenance/housekeeping department.

Tom enjoyed his work and he also enjoyed so many other hobbies. He was a licensed pilot, talented furniture restorer, kept a well-manicured yard, never said no to a game of cards, including bridge, whist and pinochle.

Tom served his country, enjoyed membership in the American Legion, he was a faithful member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus and a 4th Degree.

Tom treasured his wife and family with unconditional love. They meant the world to him. He enjoyed time spent with dear friends here and with the many friends made when they wintered in Fort Collins, Colorado for 15 years and spent their summer months at their cabin at Woodlake.

Thomas is survived by his wife Ferne of 72 years, sons James (Diane) Brannan, Fort Collins CO and Robert (Brenda) Brannan, Duluth MN; daughters Mary (Jim) Ziegler, Devils Lake, Bette (Curt) Alvestad, Craig CO and Annette (David) Buchmeier also of Devils Lake; grandchildren Jennifer (John) Caplinger, Douglas (Carmen) Brannan: Matthew (Cindy) Ziegler, Marland (Laura) Ziegler, Andrew Ziegler: Kimberly (Emily) Alvestad, Jacob (Nicole) Alvestad, Amber (Darin) Kub: Patrick (Kristal) Brannan, Jessica (Lance) Valiquette, Angela (Reed) Fulghum: Shawn (Megan) Buchmeier; 25 great grandchildren; brother Edward (Anna) Brannan, Auburn, WA; several nieces, nephews and their families.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers John, Leo and Lawrence Brannan, sisters Agnes Stenson and Alice Dillerud and in-laws Edwin and Marguerite Bonn.

Casket Bearers Thomas’s Grandsons, Eucharistic Gift Bearers, Thomas’s Granddaughters and Reading the Scriptures, Nathan Ziegler and Steven Brannan. Music will be provided by Donovan Foughty, soloist and Patty Cote, vocalist and organist.

The family would like to extend their appreciation to all of the staff at Heartland Care Center for their dedicated care and concern they gave to their parents during this time.