Service of Remembrance for Thomas F. "Tom" Shirek, 61, longtime Hettinger businessman, sportsman and friend to many, will be Thursday, Nov. 29, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. MT at the Roberts-Reinke Auditorium at Hettinger High School. Rev. Kathleen Dettmann and Fr. Chad Gion will co-officiate and burial will follow at the Hettinger Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 28 at the Evanson Jensen Funeral Home with a gathering of family and friends at the Hettinger Lutheran Church at 5:00 p.m. Wednesday evening.


THOMAS FRANK SHIREK was born July 25, 1946 in Lakota, ND to Frank and Agnes (Kouba) Shirek. He attended and graduated from Michigan High School in 1964. Tom then went on to college at UND and graduated in 1969 with a degree in Business Administration.


After college, Tom moved to Hettinger, where he worked for Great Plains. In April 1972 he was united in marriage to Michele' Clement. Together they raised four children. In 1973 they assumed ownership of the Pastime Bar and Steakhouse in Hettinger. In 1975 he went to work for the US Postal Service until his retirement on June 10, 2005


Tom was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing and golfing. Later in his life Tom enjoyed "putting around" on his tractor at the tree farm. He enjoyed spending time with his family and grandkids. "Grandpa Tom" had a special relationship with each of his grandkids. He was a very active member of the Hettinger community, serving on many boards and committees, as well as a volunteer fireman for 25 plus years. In 2003, Tom was named "Sportsman of the Year" by the local Pheasant's Forever and Pheasant Fest Committee and in 2005 he was named "Business Person of the Year".


Tom passed away suddenly on November 25, 2007 in Hettinger, ND. In keeping with Tom's loving and generous spirit, it was his decision to donate life so that others may live. Tom will be truly missed in the Hettinger community and by all who knew him. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established by his family.


Those most grateful for having been a part of Tom's life are his son, Todd and wife Cathy (Houle) Shirek and their children, Michael and Emily, daughter, Rochelle and husband Brian Christopherson and their sons, Brett and Corey, all of Hettinger, ND, daughter, Tricia and husband Chris Parnow and their children Caden and Gavin, Thompson, ND and son Tom and wife Sally Shirek, Fargo, ND; brother, Robert (Kay) Shirek, Michigan, ND and sister Kathleen Frank, Olivia, MN, his special friend, Leah Gunther, of Hettinger and numerous nieces, nephews and countless friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Agnes Shirek and his wife, Michele' Shirek and a sister, Mary Jane in infancy.