Thomas Holmstrom

Thomas Carl Holmstrom, 73, of Duluth, died Thursday, June 28, 2012 at Solvay Hospice House after a brief illness. Tom passed away knowing he was loved and will be greatly missed by his family and friends. He was a warm, gentle, kind and loyal person who had many friends of all walks of life.

Tom was born in Cornwall, New York on April 21, 1939 to Carl and Margaret (Doherty) Holmstrom. At the age of 7 the family moved to Duluth and in 1957 Tom graduated from Duluth East High School. Tom was an avid ski jumper, and was part of the East High School Varsity Ski Jumping team beginning as an 8th grader, winning many individual and team titles. After graduation he traveled the country with the USA Ski Jumping Team , and in 1959 tried out for 1960 Olympic Team, although he did not make the team he did participate as an Olympic official during the ski jumping events.

Tom proudly served in the MN Air National Guard 1961-1967. In March 1964, he began his career at the Red Owl Stores in Kenwood (Duluth) from there he was transferred to the Jubilee Store in Superior, WI where he retired from Super One in 1998. In addition to his enthusiasm for ski jumping he was an avid MN Twins fan as well as NASCAR, especially sprint car races. Tom spent the last 30 summers as a seasonal camper at the Enchanted Inn Campground near Gordon, WI. He treasured the time that he spent with his many friends in the campground.

Tom is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Carol Seymour; and niece, Kristine Nagel.

He is survived by three nieces and one nephew, Sharon (Rick) Lane, Tom (Lori) Seymour, Kathryn (Kristopher) Kuhlmey, Cindy (Tom) Leider; ten grandnieces and nephews, Anne (Derek) Wang, Kathryn (Darrick) Mischke, Tim (Katie) Lane, Ian Seymour, Andrew Seymour, Valerie Leider, Alaina (Tony) Leider, Grace Leider, Brandon Nagel and Krissa Boman; four great-grandnieces and nephews, Sydney and Aiden Wang, Olivia and Aubrie Mischke. Tom is also survived by many wonderful and loving friends!

The family would like to thank the amazing staff at Solvay Hospice House for their wonderful care and friendship to Tom; Rev. Dr. David Bard, pastor at First United Methodist Church for his spiritual guidance to Tom; and to his many wonderful and loving friends, Bill, Al, and Tony to name just a few for their love and support to Tom especially these past few weeks.

Gathering of family and friends will be 9 am until the 11 am Memorial Service on Saturday, July 7, 2012 at the Jarvi Dowd Funeral Home, 925 E. 4th St., Rev. Dr. David Bard officiating. Memorials in Tom’s name are preferred to Chester Bowl Ski Jump preservation or the Solvay Hospice House. To leave a memory of Tom or words of support, please visit www.bellbrothersjarvidowd.com