Sioux Falls, SD - Thomas N. "Tom" Toland, 88, died Tuesday, December 31, 2013 at the VA Regional Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD. A private burial will be held in Graceland Cemetery in Mitchell, SD. A memorial service will begin at 11:00 am Saturday, January 11, 2014 at First Lutheran Church in Mitchell, SD. Thomas N. "Tom" Toland was born November 15, 1925, to Earle and LaRene (Johnson) Toland on a farm east of Stickney, SD in Aurora County. He attended one room country schools through eighth grade and graduated from Stickney High School in May of 1943. In June of that year, Tom enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 17. He took his basic training at Farragut, ID and also at Great Lakes Naval Station. Tom then served on a destroyer escort, the Jack W. Wilke. He was honorably discharged in October of 1946. Tom returned to the Stickney area and started farming. On July 8, 1947, he married Ima Gene Wentworth at the home of the bride's parents. They farmed for several years, and then owned and operated a small restaurant in Stickney. In 1955, the couple moved to Mitchell. Tom was employed at the State Highway Department, the John Deere store, and in 1963, started work at the U.S. Post Office as a distribution clerk. He retired in 1990. Tom then worked part time at Larry's Floral. In 1998, the couple moved to Sioux Falls to be closer to their daughter. Tom worked at Sioux Valley Hospital - now Sanford, did volunteer work at the V.A. Hospital, and then worked at a Hy-Vee Store. Tom was a current member of Peace Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, and a former member of First Lutheran Church in Mitchell. Survivors include his wife of over 66 years, Ima Gene; beloved daughter, Jill, both of Sioux Falls; a brother-in-law, John Wentworth and wife, Bea, of Stickney; a sister-in-law, Lois Wentworth of Palo Alto, CA; and several nephews, nieces and cousins. Tom was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Murial Wallbaum and her husband, Bill, Lois Clarke and her husband, Dick, Kathryn Crouch; an infant brother, Burton; his mother and father-in-law, Al and Matilda Wentworth; a brother-in-law, George Wentworth; a nephew, Doug Clarke; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. The family has requested that memorials be directed to Peace Lutheran Church, the Sioux Falls V.A., or the Sioux Falls Humane Society.

Miller Funeral Home; Sioux Falls, SD