Obituary published on Legacy.com by Willoughby Funeral Home and Cremation Options on Nov. 21, 2025.
Thomas Reisch Obituary Thomas Anthony Reisch, 66, passed away December 17, 2024, at the Madison Hospital. Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, December 21, 2024, at 10:30 am, at St. Agatha Church in
Howard, SD. Visitation will be held Friday December 20th from 5-7 PM at the church, followed by a prayer service at 7:00 pm. Interment will be at the St. Joseph Cemetery, Howard.
Tom was born on August 19th, 1958, in Mitchell, SD to Amos and Marjorie (Haiar) Reisch. He attended St. Agatha Grade School for first through fifth grade. He then attended Howard Junior High and High School and graduated in 1976. On July 29, 1983, he married the love of his life, Darla Lentsch. Together they raised five children. Tom worked at the Dakota Body Shop for his dad, Amos, starting in high school. He then purchased the Dakota Body Shop in 1988. He continued running the body shop until December 31, 2023, when his son, Michael, took over the business. Tom was a member of Howard Industries for many years, and he served as a Miner County Commissioner for 10 years. Tom loved being outside. He was on the golf course at least a few times a week whenever the weather was nice enough. He always had a garden that seemed to grow in size every single summer. He enjoyed sharing his produce with family and friends. Tom and Darla enjoyed camping several times over the summer with their children and eleven grandchildren. Tom was a lifelong member of St. Agatha Catholic church. He was strong in his Catholic faith, often up early praying for others before they were awake.
Tom was preceded in death by his father, Amos, father-in-law and mother-in-law Dick and Bonnie Lentsch. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Darla, his five children, Josh Reisch of
Madison, SD, Michael (Meggan) Reisch of
Madison, SD, Melissa (Morgan) Kleinsasser of Freeman, SD, Jeffrey (Katlyn) Reisch of
Howard, SD, and Kelli (Francis) Ruml of
Howard, SD, eleven grandchildren, Bonnie, Calvin and Leo Kleinsasser of Freeman, SD, Peyton, Wesley, Oliver, and Samuel Ruml of
Howard, SD, Claire, Leila, and Johnathon Reisch of
Madison, SD, and Allyson Reisch of
Howard, SD. He has grandchild number 12 due in May. He is also survived by his mother, Marjorie Reisch of
Howard, SD. Siblings, Joe (Rhonda) Reisch of Sioux Falls, SD, twin brother Tim (Anne) Reisch of
Howard, SD, Susie (Jim) Dufek of Cape Girardeau, MO, Nancy (Bill) Hughes of Sioux Falls, SD, Kay (Ray) Genzlinger of Winfred, SD, Karla (Scott) Willson of Sioux Falls, SD, Bob (Michelle) Reisch of Estero, FL, and Julie (Nathan) Gassman of St. Peter, MN, and many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.
www.willoughbyfh.com
Services
Visitation
Friday
December 20, 2024
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
St. Agatha Catholic Church
202 W Washington Ave.
Howard, South Dakota 57349
Funeral Mass
Saturday
December 21, 2024
10:30 AM
St. Agatha Catholic Church
202 W Washington Ave.
Howard, South Dakota 57349
Interment
Saturday
December 21, 2024
11:30 AM
St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery
23296 435th Ave
Howard, South Dakota 57349
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