The family of Tom R. Marso, 79, announces his passing, and invites all who knew him to remember him here.
Some lives speak quietly; his is one such story.
Tom's story began in 1938, and unfolded across the years that followed.
Tom held deeply to the Catholic faith — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew him best.
A life of faith is rarely a life of certainty — but always one of trust.
Tom R. Marso Tom R. Marso, 79 of Parker, SD died Friday, February 10, 2017. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00am Thursday, February 16, 2017 at St. Christina's Catholic Church with burial at the church cemetery. Visitation will begin at 6pm Wednesday evening at with a Scripture Service to be said at 8:00pm. Arrangements by Hofmeister Jones Funeral Home. Tom R. Marso was born January 4, 1938 in Marion, SD to Ray and Eleanor (Thompson) Marso. His parents farmed in the Marion, Harrold, Hurley, and Parker, SD and preceded him in death. After retirement, Tom and Jo lived in Sioux Falls for six years and thereafter they lived on the Cink family farm near Parker. Tom attended elementary school through grade six in Hurley and grades seven through twelve in Parker where he graduated from Parker High School in 1956. Tom met his wife Jo (Cink) at St. Christina's Church where they were both Catechism students during their early grade school years. Tom and Jo were married in St. Christina's in April of 1958. Tom attended Dakota State College (B.S.), South Dakota State University (M.S.) and the University of South Dakota (Specialist in Educational Administration). He taught high school in Garretson, SD and in Tyler, MN. He served as school superintendent at Tabor, Gregory, and Miller, SD for a total of 34 years before his retirement in 1996. Tom was a member of several professional educational organizations including the School Administrators of South Dakota and the American Association of School Administrators. He was also active in many local civic organizations including Kiwanis, having served several terms as Secretary and President of the Miller, SD club. He was also a member of the Miller Civic and Commerce Association. Tom was a Knight of Columbus and served as both Financial Secretary and Grand Knight of the Miller Knights for several terms. He was inducted in the South Dakota Beadle Club in 2003. Tom was a golf enthusiast and was a member of the Miller Country Club Board of Directors and served two terms as President of the Club. Tom was fortunate to make a "hole-in-one" there in 1995! His other hobbies included a love for cars, airplanes, and travel. He took flying lessons in the 1970s and earned a private pilot's license. He and his wife, Jo, enjoyed traveling (mainly to visit their children) to California and New York, as well as Hawaii, Spain, England, and Mexico. For a few years, they spent their winters in Arizona. In Miller, Tom is remembered as an admired superintendent who served the community for 28 years. Under his administration a new high school was built which continues to provide high quality public education to youth in Miller. He always had a smile, a compliment, or a joke for everyone he encountered. Tom Marso was loved by all, but especially his family and many friends. Tom is survived by his wife Jo; two children, Jeff (Lynn Bushfield) of Austin, Texas, and Lori (Tom Lobe) of Schenectady, NY; 3 grandchildren, Rita (Booth Fellers) in Austin, TX, Lucas Lobe in New York, NY, and Luci Lobe in Burlington, Vermont; three step grandchildren, Geoffrey Gray-Lobe of Vermillion, Guthrie Gray-Lobe of Boston, MA and Danielle Gray-Lobe Powell (Craig) of Yankton, SD; and six great grandchildren, Clementine and Garland (Rita), Charlie and Alda (Geoffrey), and Asher and Rhys (Danielle). Tom is also survived by four brothers (Ron, Pat, Gary, and Garland), and many nieces and nephews.
