1934 – Thomas Probst – 2019
Thomas Probst, the son of Paul and Frances (Broich) Probst, was born on December 19, 1934 in Wilmont, Minnesota. He grew up in Wilmont and attended Our Lady of Good Counsel School where he graduated from high school. After a few years living and working in Minneapolis, Minnesota Tom joined the U.S. Army and served four years at bases in Arkansas and Michigan. Thanks to the G.I. Bill, he then graduated from Elgin Watchmakers School in Elgin, Illinois. Tom was united in marriage to Elaine Erpelding on September 24, 1960 at St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Woodstock, Minnesota. After their marriage they owned and operated Probst Jewelry and Gifts in Fulda, Minnesota for over 50 successful years. He loved that he was in the business of making people happy. Tom passed away on Wednesday, February 6, 2019 at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne, Minnesota at the age of 84. He enjoyed visiting with customers and friends, having a martini, listening to classical music, reading about astronomy and history and spending time with his family.
Survivors include his wife Elaine Probst of Fulda, MN; two daughters: Cynthia “Cindy” DeKruif and her husband Doug, Sacred Heart, MN and Kristie Probst and her husband David Gadberry, Savage, MN; three grandchildren: Cassandra “Casie” DeKruif and Nathan and Kiera Gadberry; brother Edward (Marge) Probst, Rosemount, MN; sister Esther Reuter, Luverne, MN and sister-in-law Pat Probst, Champlin, MN. He is preceded in death by his parents; sisters: Marcella Reuter and Leona Fuerstenberg; brother Charles Probst and brothers-in-law: Peter Reuter, Ralph Fuerstenberg and Lawrence Reuter.
Funeral services will be held at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church Fulda, MN at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 4, 2019 with Msgr. R. Paul Heiting officiating. Interment will be at a later date at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Cemetery Fulda, MN. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. A celebration of Tom’s Life will follow the service at the Fulda American Legion. In Lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations instead be made to a charity supporting research for Parkinson’s Disease or cancer. The Totzke Funeral Home in Fulda is assisting the family with arrangements. Send condolences online at www.totzkefuneralhome.com.
