Tom Webster

Minot

Tom Webster, 93, Minot, ND, passed away Monday, April 14, 2025, at Trinity Health, Minot.

Tom Alan Webster was born May 4, 1931, the son of Leon and Bertha (Hansen) Webster, in Garrison, ND. He was raised and educated at Roseglen Country School.

Tom was a very skilled mechanic. He worked for Dickerson Farm Supply, Jay’s Tractors, and Farmers Union Oil of Minot. He took pleasure in getting engines to run when others could not. It was important to him to, as he would say, “Get them to purr like a kitten in a dairy!”

He married Mary Somersall on June 9, 1954. They made their home in Deering and Minot and were blessed with two children, Joyce and Rick. They later divorced.

He married Mary Clemens Otterson on December 31, 1976. They made their home in Minot. Mary passed away July 26, 1990.

Tom later met Marlene Knodel and they spent 30 plus years together. Marlene passed away on September 15, 2024.

In late 2024, Tom moved to Somerset to live with his twin sister, Nellie Burtch. Tom loved all his family very deeply and treasured the time he spent with them. He had a special bond with his twin sister, Nellie. Tom cherished the time living at Somerset with her. The love they shared for each other was undeniable, even though there were occasional sibling disagreements.

He was a member of the Moose Lodge and Eagles Club of Minot. He was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church.

Tom enjoyed dancing, especially with Marlene. He loved John Wayne movies and never missed an opportunity to quote, word for word, lines from the movies. He delighted in visiting with family and friends and had no problem striking up a conversation with a total stranger. Tom’s memory was exceptional. He was a very colorful storyteller, even in his late years. He had a knack for remembering the farm equipment he worked on, what the issue was and who owned it. It was often said he could take apart and put back together an 8N/9N Ford tractor in his sleep, which he could! Tom was given the nickname “Hank”, aka “Hank the Crank” as a testament to his ability to repair all things made by Henry Ford.

He will be loved and missed forever!

A special thanks to the staff of Somerset and Trinity Hospital for their excellent care of Tom. Tom loved the time he spent at Somerset.

His loving family includes: children, Rick (Barb) Webster, Joyce Therrien; grandchildren, Hunter Webster, Marie (Luke) Tillema, Melissa (Brian) Montagna; great-grandchildren, Keely Tillema, Ashlyn Tillema, Eva Montagna, Gage Montagna; twin sister, Nellie Burtch; sister, Cleone (Jim) Okken; sisters-in-law, Joann Webster, Alma Hamre; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mary; special friend, Marlene Knodel; brothers Jack, Jerry, Dave, Calno, Lyle, Hans; sisters, Helen, Etta, Margie, Betty, Dorothy, Evelyn, Ella.

Memorial Service: Thursday, April 24, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Minot.

Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens, Minot, ND.

Visitation: Wednesday from 4 to 6 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.

Family Service: Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to a charity of the donor’s choice in memory of Tom.

The service will be livestreamed for the public to view and can be accessed by going to the Our Savior Lutheran Church website: https://www.oslcminot.com/watch

Those wishing to sign the online register and share memories may access the online obituaries section at (www.thompsonlarson.com).

Published by The Minot Daily News, April 21, 2025.