Tom Foley Obituary

Thomas ‘Tom’ Park Foley was born June 20, 1933 at the family home, in Haakon County, South Dakota, the third of five children to Patrick and Eva (Park) Foley. Tom grew up on the ranch 36 miles northwest of Philip. He attended rural school in Philip along with catholic school in Rapid City for a few years. Tom later attended Wall High School graduating in 1951.

After graduation, Tom enlisted in the US Army and specialized as a radar technician. After his honorable discharge in 1955, he returned to the ranch northwest of Philip to help his dad and brothers on the ranch.

In 1963, Tom met Ann Fitzgerald from Hillcrest Heights, Maryland who accompanied her sister, Jean, and husband Carl (Tom’s brother) on a trip to South Dakota. Tom was quite smitten with Ann so before her return to Maryland, they took a tour of the Badlands and Skyline Drive. That excursion led to many hand-written letters, a growing relationship, and eventually their wedding on May 16, 1964 in Maryland. Tom made sure to re-create their first date with an annual trip through the Badlands on Mother’s Day. It was easier to take six kids to the Badlands each year versus going to Skyline Drive.

Tom and Ann spent the next 22 years on the ranch northwest of Philip raising their six kids. During that time, Tom was involved in numerous community activities like being a leader of the Milesville Rangers (1977-1983), donating a calf to the Black Hills Stock Show in 1974 (the 4-H Club foundation of South Dakota), being an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, all while being the patriarch of the ZN club. Tom’s kids, nieces, and nephews have many fond memories of experiences with Tom while hunting, fishing, riding horses, moving cows, branding, haying, and any other activities that needed done around the ranch. Tom has been a Life Member of the American Angus Association since 1965.

In 1986, Tom and Ann sold the ranch and moved into Philip. Tom continued to run cattle, custom hay, and sell real estate. Tom and Ann spent many hours supporting their children in their high school activities. Tom was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and taught religion class one year to a group of high schoolers where he encouraged them to attend the First Friday Devotion. Tom also helped to remove snow during the winter at the catholic church.

Over the years, Tom never quit finding something to do to occupy his time. This included fixing equipment with his sons, feeding calves throughout the winter months with help of his sons and grandkids, playing cards at the card room and nursing home, putting puzzles together, and sharing his quick-wittedness and sense of humor with others. You could ask any of his kids or grandkids about the jokes he said and pranks he pulled. There was never a dull moment with Tom around.

Survivors include his wife of 59 years Ann of Philip; five children: Mark (Windy) Foley of Vermillion, SD Richard Foley of Philip, Steve (Staci) Foley of New Ulm, MN, Kim (Al) Kochersberger of Philip, Bob (Joan) Foley of Montevideo, MN; several grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren; one sister Nellie Kellogg of Standish, MI; a sister-in-law Mary Foley of Carmichael, CA: a son in-law Tom (Tanja) Burns of Henderson, NV; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Tom was preceded in death by a daughter Katrina Burns; three infant sons Paul, Nicholas, and Gorman; a son-in-law Jim Bouman: his parents; three brothers Jim Foley, Joe Foley, and Carl Foley: sister-in-laws Betty Foley, Marie Medved, Bev Foley, and two brother-in-laws Edward Fitzgerald and Robert Kellogg.

Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. with a Christian Funeral Vigil starting at 7 p.m. Friday, July 21, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip.

Christian Funeral Mass will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 22, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip with Fr. Grant Gerlach and Deacon Lloyd Frein officiating.

Christian Funeral Committal with military honors will follow at the Masonic Cemetery in Philip.

Cards and memorials may be sent to P.O. Box 460 Philip, SD 57567.

Service Details

VISITATION
Friday, July 21, 2023 - 5-7 p.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Philip, South Dakota

CHRISTIAN FUNERAL VIGIL
Friday, July 21, 2023 - 7:00 p.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Philip, South Dakota

CHRISTIAN FUNERAL MASS
Saturday, July 22, 2023 - 10:00 a.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Philip, South Dakota

CELEBRANT
Fr. Grant Gerlach
assisted by Deacon Lloyd Frein

MUSIC
Marianne Frein - Pianist
Shelby Hanson - Cantor
“Prayer of St. Francis” #534
“Let There Be Peace on Earth” #533
“Christ, Be Our Light” #601
“On Eagles Wings” #440

USHERS
Lester Pearson - Brian Hanson

ALTAR SERVER
Dane Daly

LECTOR
Ann Marie Trebesch

PALLBEARERS
Mark Foley - Rich Foley - Steve Foley
Bob Foley - Tom Burns - Al Kochersberger

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance

CHRISTIAN FUNERAL COMMITTAL
WITH MILITARY HONORS
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota

Guest Book

Prayers to the Foley families. May the love of family and friends help comfort you all during this difficult time. Rest in peace soldier.
~ Karen Webb Rapid City SD (7/22/2023)

Oh Tom - cards & puzzles AND so handsome
~ Trisha Ireland Martin / Philip SD (7/20/2023)

Thanks for your service
~ A VETERAN (7/20/2023)

I'm so sorry for your loss. Hugs and prayers for you all.
~ Shelli Lind Gillette Wy (7/19/2023)

Our sincerest condolences. We have many fond memories of Tom & Ann and their family. Our prayers and thoughts are with you all.
~ Rita & Eddie Tewell Ocean pines, Md (7/19/2023)

I was saddened to hear of Tom's passing....I have so many great memories of him, and the times I spent around him growning up....I spent most summers helping my Uncle Joe who ranched near Tom....Many evenings my Grandma Ella would fix dinner and Tom would join us....His warm demeanor, upbeat personality, and quick wit was always an addition to any get together....Tom seemed to have a curiosity about so many things that there wasn't much you couldn't talk to him about....I'm sure he's in Heaven right now catching up everyone who's gone before us, he loved to visit with everyone....I send my sincerest condolences to Ann and all the rest of the Foley family.....
~ Price Shearn Prescott Valley, AZ (7/21/2023)

Rest in peace Tom, my condolences to the family
~ Patrick Quinn Centennial CO (7/18/2023)

I just finished watching Tom's Tribute Video....More than a couple tears...What great memories of Tom and all the Foley family, and a reminder of how lucky I was to grow around such good people, and how proud I am to share the Foley lineage....Prayers Always...
~ Price Shearn Prescott Valley, AZ (7/29/2023)

My sincere condolences to Foley Family for your loss!
~ Thomas Neys Bonney Lake, WA (7/19/2023)

Thinking of all you folks during this difficult time. Tom was quite a guy, Les always enjoyed taking him on the bus. Hold on to all the memories.
~ Les & Joann Pearson Philip, SD (7/20/2023)

So sorry to hear of Tom's passing. I remember Tom and his brothers and sister from the Dowling, SD community. Prayers for the family.
~ Virginia Crowser Mud Butte, SD (7/21/2023)

My condolences to Aunt Ann and family. The tribute video brings back very fond memories of visits to South Dakota from years ago. Tom was always so good natured and humorous.
~ Patrick Foley Nagoya, Japan (8/2/2023)

Foley Family, so sorry for your loss. We'll be praying for you.
~ Julie Rogers Madison Lake MN (7/19/2023)