Thomas L.

Zakrzewski

Thomas Lou Zakrzewski, 80, of O'Neill died Sunday, June 26, 2022 at Arbor Care Center in O'Neill.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Friday, July 1, 2022 at Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill with a 7 p.m. parish rosary.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 2, 2022 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church. Fr. Bernard Starman will officiate.

Burial will be in the O'Neill Cemetery in O'Neill.

Memorials may be made to the family for future designation.

Thomas was born on Nov. 18, 1941 to Thomas Jr. and Helen (Yelli) Zakrzewski in O'Neill. He attended St. Mary's Academy, graduating in 1959. 

After graduation, he drove truck for his father for several years before going out on his own and starting TJ Trucking, where he mainly hauled hogs and cattle.

  Tom met Sharron Strong at Seger's Café where she was working as a waitress. The two married at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in 1962. Tom gained Sharron's four children Deb, Dan, Dennis and Don, and then they were blessed with four more children Dianna, Evan, Tom ‘Tucker' and Natalie. The couple made their home in O'Neill.

  After Tom sold his trucking business, he drove truck for the tomato plant and also hauled grain for local farmers. 

Tom had a love for being on the move and he will always be remembered for driving around O'Neill in his green pickup. He also loved to fly his two planes whenever he could.

Tom loved to spend time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He went on several fishing trips and was an avid storm chaser. 

Tom was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church.

Tom is survived by three children Evan Zakrzewski of Wisconsin, Tucker Zakrzewski of Virginia, and Natalie Ethington of O'Neill; four stepchildren Deb (Randy) Swanson of Norfolk, Dan (Deb) Nekolite and  Dennis (Zala) Nekolite, all of O'Neill, and Don Nekolite of Montrose, SD; 18 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; five siblings Pat Petersen of Norfolk, Gary (Sharon) Zakrzewski of O'Neill, Eddie (Beth) Zakrzewski of North Platte, Sylvia Frear of Washington and Donnie (Cheryl) Zakrzewski of Columbus; one sister-in-law Sara Zakrzewski of Minnesota; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Sharron in 2016, one daughter Dianna Zakrzewski in 2007, one grandson Michael Nekolite and one brother Ronnie Zakrzewski.