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Thomas J. Folger

FUNERAL HOME

John A. Gentleman Mortuaries - 72nd Street Chapel

1010 North 72nd Street

Omaha, Nebraska

Thomas Folger Obituary

FOLGER-Thomas J., age 60. Preceded in death by wife, Leslie and parents, James and Jean Folger. Survived by children and spouses, Jason and Paula Folger, Jennifer and Christy Folger and Grant Folger; sisters and brothers-in-law, Sherry and ThomasJohnson and Susan and Michael Volk; many loved nieces and nephews.
Memorials service Tuesday 11:00 a.m. 72nd Street Chapel. Military Honors afterwards by Millard American Legion Post #374/VFW #8334. Memorials to VFW Post 2503. No Visitation JOHN A. GENTLEMAN MORTUARIES
72nd STREET CHAPEL
1010 North 72nd St., 391-1664

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Published by Omaha World-Herald from Oct. 19 to Oct. 22, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Folger

15 Entries

Jan (Yann) Wiranowski

November 4, 2007

I am Tom's ex-brother-in-law. I saw Tom rarely, but when I did I felt very well in his company. He was kind, very friendly and well-read. I liked him very much, as well as his wife Leslie and his Mother-in-law Elsie. They are all gone now and I am remembering them all very fondly. I am extending to his children an invitation to come and see me, and we will remember their parents with love.

Jan (Yann) Wiranowski (Vicinity of Rochester, NY)

Kristie Horn

October 28, 2007

My heart goes out to my nephews and niece Jason, Jen, and Grant and the rest of the Folger clan. Such a tragic loss!

I, like Mark and Sara, have memories of Tom when he came over for holiday dinners and of him sleeping on the couch after dinner due to his shift that he had at the post office. This brings to mind something my sister said one time. She had received a call from a salesperson trying to sell her cemetery plots. Her response to the man on the phone was "I never see my husband so when he passes away I am going to stuff him and stand him in the corner". Leslie said there was silence then the man slowly hung up. The humor that they shared like this incident is something I will always remember.

Tom was a very patient and loving father. I heard stories from my mother how, while he was sleeping on the couch at home, the "kids" would jump on him but he would not get mad after they woke him up.

I never heard anyone call Tom "Tommy" until I heard his sisters call him that. Whether we called him Tom, Tommy, Dad, Uncle Tom, or something else, not to be able to call him any of those names now will certainly make us all sad.

I don't know how many of you believe in an afterlife, but I would like to share a couple of things with you. After I heard of Tom's passing, I was driving down the road thinking about him and praying that he will make it to heaven to be with Leslie. I happened to look up and saw two hawks circling above. This was confirmation to me that this prayer will be answered. (Seeing two hawks together has special meaning to me.) Also, the day before the service, I was out in the yard picking up papers and such that had blown in and found a golf ball which was not there the day before. I know the wind did not put it there! Just wanted to pass these on to everyone that cares for Tom and will miss him to let you know that he is still with us and watching out for us......just not in the form that we would like him to be!

Take care and my love and best wishes to Jason, Jen, and Grant and the rest of the Folger clan!
Kristie Horn
(Leslie's "baby" sister)

Kari Winder

October 25, 2007

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well-lived.

Steve and Nicole Lamberty

October 24, 2007

For those that could not attend the funeral service of Tom Folger I have posted the eulogy I gave at his service.

I want to thank Jason, Jennifer and Grant for giving me the opportunity to say a few words about their Dad. I’d also like to thank everyone for their support, prayers and acts of kindness this past week. My name is Steve Lamberty and I am the son-in-law of Sherry and Tom Johnson. Sherry is one of Tom’s 2 sisters.

I met Tommy around the time of my wedding to Nicole. He was bald with a salt and pepper ring of hair to match his salt and pepper beard. He could have been one of my brothers. He was there, with his wife Leslie of course, and probably Jennifer and Grant. It was a long time ago and I’ve been told I have the memory of a man 3 times my age. Unfortunately, it wasn’t until we lost Leslie that I really got to know Tommy. I remember the first time I went golfing with Tommy there was much less pepper in his beard, he had been through a lot by that time. Tommy was touring various places in the lower 48 like a golf professional. It was as though he was sort of lost but as long as he was lost he thought he’d work on his golf game a little.

As I said, I am married to Nicole, she is the daughter of Sherry and Tom Johnson. Sherry is the one of Tommy’s sisters, who is famous for the “Folger” tradition of celebrating absolutely everything,. For you federal employees here today just imagine all the national holidays you get off, and on that day throw a huge party and invite all your relatives and close friends. Then do the same thing for your family’s birthdays and maybe Bastille Day. I think you get the idea. Well, while we all looked forward to these events, they started to take on a little more lighthearted and festive mood when we knew Tommy was going to be there. Tommy always told great stories that made everyone laugh, gave great presents and in my case, provided a willing coconspirator whenever there was an opportunity to steal away and watch the game.

Whenever Tommy was in town we always figured out a way to get him into the equation. Get him over to the house to have dinner, set up a round of golf, or just hang out and drink some beers. One time Tommy was going to come over for the Texas/USC game. We were making a big dinner and we had the game ready to go. 7:00 o’clock rolled around, and no Tommy. So we decided to eat without him and at around 7:30 we were pretty much done and I thought “Great I’ll have plenty left for lunch tomorrow”. Who do we see through the window pull up across the street, Tommy. He said he’d fallen asleep or something, but whatever the case he was there now and that’s all that mattered. We asked if he was hungry, he said no, no, but my wife brought out the half pan of meatloaf that was still left and he said “Ahhh….Maybe I’ll try a little”, each time she went to clear the table he’d say “well maybe one more piece”, Well, a half hour and the rest of the pan of meatloaf later, Tommy and I sat down to watch the game. He was that kind of guy, he was the kind of guy that made a mother, my wife, feel good about the meal she had prepared. He’d always tell his sister Sherry “relax…the house looks fine” while she was fastidiously cleaning up the house, lavish comments weren’t Tommy’s style, but you knew when you were getting one.

Tommy was ever the pragmatist. I found that out while playing golf with Tommy a couple summers ago. One of Tommy’s nieces, Sarah Wahlpole, who is Tommy’s sister Susie’s daughter is married to a former South Dakota high school golf champion. His name is Rob. Rob, Tommy and I all went golfing one day and I declared on the second hole that we should play for a dollar a hole. Neither of them apparently heard me, so it came as a complete shock to Tommy when on the 5th hole I said “Well, looks like Rob is up 3 holes after that one”. To which Tommy replied “We’re playing HIM for MONEY”. He apparently knew about Rob’s past when he said “So….you gonna go challenge Michael Jordan to a game of one-on-one after this”. Tommy told it like he saw it, he was a realist. You always knew where you stood with Tommy. If he liked you he let you know in abundance, if he didn’t like you he figured it was just because maybe he didn’t know you well enough.

Tommy was also a loving and caring man. He expressed in various ways on a number of occasions, the love he had for Leslie and his children. He was so proud of all of your accomplishments, and when I say he let me know in various ways, I think you understand what I mean. In my experience he was not one to outwardly express a lot of emotion but I knew when he was being sincere and when it came to his family and what you’ve accomplished Jason, Jennifer and Grant, believe me, he was always sincere.

Tommy had great taste in music, movies and was well read. He had appreciation of the abilities of people who demonstrated great skill in anything, people who did their job well. Athletes, musicians, soldiers, postal workers you name it Tommy knew a good thing when he saw it. That’s why he loved Leslie and his kids so much. He knew a good thing when he saw it

Tommy was also proud of his service to his country. His tour of duty in Vietnam was distinguished but it was also something we didn’t talk about too much. Only on a few occasions but I knew he had strong feelings about it and all I could do is respect him that much more.

Tommy and I had a balanced relationship, he was a little on the liberal side, I’m a little on the conservative. He liked the Yankees I like the Twins. He loved the Huskers, and we both liked Notre Dame. Both of us thought we were better than we probably were in high school football. Both of us even have best friends who are lawyers, whose last names are Moran. So maybe it’s not such and odd choice to have me up here today. It may be emblematic of Tommy’s life, that a person who very few at this gathering know very well, would have so many good things to say and so many fond memories of their; Father, brother, uncle, war buddy, friend or boss.

I will miss Tommy very much, we will all miss Tommy very much. Tommy started out as my wife’s uncle and became my friend. When Sherry asked me to say a few words here today, I said I’d be honored. But in hindsight and in all honesty there’s nothing I’d like to be doing less right now.

We love you Tommy and We will miss you very much.

Thank you.

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Joshua Brunken

October 23, 2007

as his weekend paper carrier, Thomas was a good man and one of my best customers on my routes. He will be missed.

Steve and Karen Hedgecock

October 22, 2007

We are very sorry to hear about Tom. He was a kind and caring person and will be missed dearly by everyone. Tom was on my team on Weds. night Postal Golf League. God Bless.

John Dmyterko

October 22, 2007

I am very sorry to hear of Toms passing I knew him and worked with him in the Postal Service. My condolences to the family.

God Bless

Mark M

October 22, 2007

I knew Tom from the time I started at the post office in 1978. I'm glad I could call Tom my friend. He treated everyone with respect. It was a shock to hear of Tom's passing. Please accept my condolences.

Sara Penn

October 22, 2007

I am very sorry to hear about Uncle Tom. I have been thinking and praying about Jen, Jason and Grant a lot over the last few days. I, like Mark, did not know Tom very well but what I did know of him was very good. I remember him napping on the couch at Grandma's house on Thanksgiving and Christmas, as well. I also remember that he liked to laugh and joke around with his kids. He was a good father. I always thought it was neat that every Thanksgiving and Christmas he would take Jenny, Jason and Grant to a movie to just spend some time with them. Even though he worked the late shift and was very tired, he always made time for his children.

We'll be thinking about you and praying for you. All our love,
Jeremy and Sara Penn

Katherine Wiranowski

October 21, 2007

I'm so sorry to hear about Tom. I've had Jen, Jason and Grant all on my mind non-stop since I heard. I am thinking of you and wishing you strength through this time of loss and mourning. Both Tom and Leslie did such an incredible job producing three amazing people and I'm so sorry that you have had to deal with so much loss in the last few years. I think of you frequently and send you all my love.

Mark Wiranowski

October 21, 2007

To Jason, Jen, Grant and other family and friends:

I am so sorry.

I didn't know Tom well. My memory as a kid was seeing him napping on the couch after working the night shift. When he arrived at my wedding, I was momentarily unsure of who he was. Tom wasn't bashful; he stuck out his hand and pleasantly said, "Tom Folger."

In the last couple of years, I had the opportunity to see Tom a few more times. I remember helping to carry Elsie's casket with him. I sat next to him, each of us gnawing a huge steak, at the family dinner before Jason's wedding. We talked about Tom's service in the military and some of my climbing trips.

This fall, when I was in the hospital in Massachusetts, in walked Tom Folger. I was taken completely by surprise, but Tom seemed perfectly at ease. He was dogsitting for Jen and had stopped by to see me. It was very sweet to see him.

I am sad that we have lost Tom. My greatest sympathies go out to his immediate family and friends.

Karen D.

October 21, 2007

I m was so shocked to hear about Tom passing. I've known Tom my whole postal career. I'd tease Tom about his retirement calendar he had in the offide counting down his days of retirement. He would say, you know it's not what it use to be in being a supervisor. He wss one of the good one's.

Jeremy Penn

October 21, 2007

Uncle Tom will be missed greatly. We are so sorry for his loss and are keeping the family in our prayers.

Ina Matthews

October 21, 2007

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."

It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man."

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.

Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998-2007

CHERYL TODD

October 21, 2007

TO THE FAMILY OF TOM FOLGER:
TOM WAS MY SUPERVISOR WHEN I STARTED WORK AT THE USPS. TOM WAS A GREAT PERSON AND WILL MISSED BY ALL. I AM VERY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS.

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