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BORN
1961
DIED
2008
Tom Filipi Obituary
Filipi was born Dec. 30, 1961 to Jerry Joe and Clarice Marie (Bouwens) Filipi in Fairbury. He attended grade school in Western and was a 1980 graduate of Tri County High School.
On April 16, 1988, he married Sonya Ann Tucker at Grand Junction, Iowa. They have lived all of their married life on an acreage south of Davey. He was employed with Tenneco in Seward as a welding technician. He was actively involved with cattle and swine showing and exhibiting and a member of multiple cattle breed associations.
He attended the Waverly United Methodist Church.
Preceding him in death are his grandparents, Richard and Ethel Bouwens and Jerry and Olga Filipi; Sonya's grandparents, Melvin and Thelma Tucker and Noah and Ruth Thompson.
He is survived by his wife, Sonya Filipi of Davey; sons, Andrew Filipi and Nathan Filipi, both of Davey; his parents, Jerry and Clarice Filipi of Wilber; brothers, Timothy Filipi of Wilber and Curtis Filipi of Hickman; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Duward and Cappie Tucker of Grand Junction, Iowa; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Ronda and Delbert Kaldenberg of Indianola, Iowa, Bradley and Vicki Tucker of Pleasant Dale; two nieces and three nephews; many uncles, aunts, and cousins and a host of friends.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 15 with family greeting friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Zabka Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the Seward Ag Pavilion.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16 at the Seward Ag Pavillion with Rev. James Wallasky officiating.
Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16 at Tothill Cemetery in Davey.
Casket bearers are Timothy Filipi, Curtis Filipi, Brad Tucker, Leland Novacek, Michael Hines, Quentin Smola, Jon Swanson, John Peterson, Delbert Kaldenberg and Kelvin Jorgensen.
Honorary casket bearers are all those enthusiasts actively involved in the fitting, showing, and exhibiting of cattle and swine
Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made to donor's choice in care of family.
Online condolences may be left at www.zabkafuneralhome.com
Funeral arrangements entrusted to Zabka Funeral Home of Seward
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Tom Filipi
Stacy Moore
January 9, 2009
You and the boys are in my thoughts and prayers. Please let me know if I can help in anyway, even down the road.
The Mellen Family
December 19, 2008
Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.
Jamie (Keller) Olson
December 17, 2008
Dear Filipi Family,
I was so saddened to hear of your loss. I was Nathan's third grade teacher in Waverly and enjoyed knowing your family so much. I pray you feel the Lord holding you in His loving arms during this time and always.
Jim Mager
December 16, 2008
Please accept my condolences. Tom was a welcome sight at the livestock shows with you and the boys and always had a smile on his face.
Jim Mager (Aksarben Supt.)
Murleen & Dennis Bellinger
December 16, 2008
Andrew,
We were so sorry to hear of your loss. You and your family are in our prayers.
Deb, Morgan and Erica Spanyers
December 16, 2008
We have had the pleasure of getting to know Tom and your family through showing cattle over the years. Words seem inadequate to express our deepest sympathy.
Our prayers are with you.
Julia (French) Plugge
December 16, 2008
Sonya, Andrew & Nathan,
I am so sorry to hear about Tom. He was such a delight to talk to at all the livestock shows as he always greeted me with a smile and a hello!! You are in my prayers and thoughts. May your memories of Tom be endless and bring you comfort.
Lisa Cantrell
December 16, 2008
Sonja: You and your sons are in my thoughts and prayers. May your memories and the love of family and friends give you strength and peace during this time of loss.
Ron Karen Anderson
December 16, 2008
Sonya Andrew and Nathan so sorry to hear about our neighbor Tom passing. so young and such a nice guy it was really nice that Nathan called and wanted to deer hunt this fall. It ended well with Nathan getting a nice 4 x4 buck. I said "i am so glad that you shot this buck and your dad was with you , you will never forget this day". karen and i are keeping you in our thoughts and prays. Ron + Karen Anderson
Susan Bulling
December 16, 2008
Sonya, Andrew and Nate
I just want you to know that you and the boys are in your thoughts and prayers. I can remember when we first started showing cattle how Tom was happy to helps us. Thanks goodness for we had no idea what we were doing. He had the most wonderful smile that we all will remember. Boys just remember your Dad is always with you. Remember all the great times you had going to cattle and pig shows as a family. Those are memories that you will never forget. Remember how your Dad supported all the FFA Banquets and FFA events. If you ever need anything please gives us a call. Sonya, Andrew and Nate keep smiling just like your Dad.
John, Susan, Jeana and Daniel Bulling
Randy Urkoski
December 16, 2008
Sonya and family. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. May God Bless you and comfort you in this time.
Deb Schuelke
December 16, 2008
Sonya & family
Sorry to hear about the loss of your husband.
Sincerely
Deb Schuelke
Medical Case Manager
The Alaris Group
Sue Allen
December 15, 2008
Sonya and family - My condolences on the passing away of Tom. I remember the first time I met him, so tall and had a nice smile. It is so sad to have him leave you and your sons so suddenly. You all are in my thoughts.
Ronda Kaldenberg
December 15, 2008
I cannot express how deeply I am saddened at the loss of my great brother in law. He was there for me to make me smile so many times when I was down. Now it is my turn to be there for my sister and nephews (Sonya, Andrew and Nathan)
I will greatly miss his smile -- usually it meant he was up to something -- but that is why so many truly loved Tom -- he was quite the character and always had a good thing to say about everyone he met. He was truly a wonderful guy. I also want to thank everyone for their support during this especially difficult time for Sonya, Ander and Nathan. I am truly awed by the generosity of so many -- thank you.
Cody Closner
December 15, 2008
Nathan,
I'm so sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. I'm thinking of you and hope you're all right.
Mike and Joyce Benes
December 15, 2008
Sonja, Andrew, and Nathan
Our most sincere sympathy to you and your entire family. Tom will be missed by many. Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Kenny & Diane Struble
December 15, 2008
Sonya and Boys - Our hearts go out to all of you - Big Tom was a wonderful man to work with and he will be greatly missed by all at Tenneco
Krystal (Stokebrand) Kolb
December 15, 2008
On behalf of Larry & Jeanne Stokebrand, Mike, Krystal and Dean, I would like to say how sorry we are to hear of your loss. Us kids have many childhood memories of all the times the Stokebrands and the Filipis got together...the Western Picnic, the old Filipi farmhouse, events at Tri-County...those were great times. Tom was such a nice guy. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.
Cathy & Ron Ott
December 15, 2008
Sonya and Family,
There are no appropriate words to express the great loss of a loved one. Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Lori Pracheil
December 15, 2008
Sonya Andrew and Nathan
Tom will be greatly missed. Please know you will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Dennis Lori Chelsie Brant Molly
Marilyn Snyder
December 15, 2008
Sonya and boys,
I was so saddened to hear about Tom. I wish there was something I could say or do that would lessen your pain. I think of you often and hope that you know many people are doing the same. Hold tight to your memories.
Karri Donahue
December 14, 2008
Sonya, Andrew, and Nathan
We are so sorry to hear about Tom. He will be greatly missed by everyone who ever knew him. You are in our thougts and prayers, always.
Paul, Karri, and Erika Donahue
Russ & Debbie Parrott
December 14, 2008
Sonya, Andrew, Nathan
Tom was a great man and will all ways be remembered.
Lisa Baxa
December 14, 2008
Sonya, Andrew and Nathan,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Mike and Lisa (Crays) Baxa and family
Clay Center, Nebraska
Jim, Sherri, Marc, Jami, Brent, Derek, and Kali Reinsch
December 14, 2008
Our hearts and prayers are with you. We always enjoyed being with Tom and your family at the livestock shows.
Thomas Kupke
December 14, 2008
Sonya and Boys,
I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. Tom was a great guy and I enjoyed both of you at the Neb State Fair. Our thoughts are with you and your whole family. Please, ask if you need anything.
Tom & Rhonda Kupke, Kearney, Ne
JR Gillaspie
December 14, 2008
We are thinking of you and are sad for your loss. Our prayers are with you at this time. JR and family
Shelly Burke
December 14, 2008
Sonya, Nathan, and Andrew,
We were so shocked and sad to hear of Tom's death. We are so blessed to have known him and will never forget his positive attitude and always smiling face. Please know that you all will be in our prayers . . . that you will feel God's comfort and peace and the love of so many friends and family members who care and will be with you through this hard time.
With love and hugs,
Tim, Shelly, Cody, and Morgan Burke
Lonnnie Crays
December 14, 2008
Thinking of you and your family.
Monica Gowen (Crays)
December 14, 2008
Our prayers are with your family.
Donna Stading-Smith
December 14, 2008
Andrew & Nate,
Boys my prayers are with you now. Look to God for your strength during this rough time. Be thankful for all your memories of times with your dad. Your dad was very proud of both of you. He will continue to be watching over you. Please let Jess or I know if you need anything. Our love to both of you.
Rick Schultz and Family
December 14, 2008
Sonya, Andrew and Nathan, Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Tom was sure a great guy and will be greatly missed. He touched the lives of a lot of people.
Deb Daugherty-Anderson
December 14, 2008
Sonya and family,
Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers during this time of tremendous loss.
Chris Beutler
December 14, 2008
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. Tom's upbeat, and friendly attitude was a plus to all.
Sincerely
Stan & Nancy Thayer
December 14, 2008
Sonya: We are so sorry for you and the boy's loss. We thought the world of Tom. He always had a smile and a kind word. Just know you are in our prayers.
jim and mary bloomberg
December 14, 2008
So sorry to hear about Tom. You are a great family draw strength from that and that he will be carried on in your boys Tom loved his livestock
Chris Rider
December 13, 2008
I was shocked to read about Tom's death. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the boys.
Craig Wietjes
December 13, 2008
Sonja, Andrew & Nathan:
We will remember Tom in many ways, always at the show willing to help out, offering advice, and standing at the show ring, watching the boys drive some of the best pigs there was. We will miss that wry smile, ultra competitiveness, but the first to offer congratulations after the show, win or lose. Our families' deepest sympathy.
Craig,Heidi,Shannon & Bryan Wietjes
Judy Cantrell
December 13, 2008
Please accept my condolences. I have many fond memories of Tom at Saline Center dances. He and I also shared the same birthday.
Judy Cantrell
(formerly of Wilber, NE)
Ronette Bush
December 13, 2008
Sonya and Boys....
I know words can not begin to ease the pain and loss. Life is a precious gift...Tom was a great individual. His smile at the cattle shows will be greatly missed. You are in our thoughts and prayers. With deepest sympathy.
Ronette Bush and girls
Nancy Bouwens
December 13, 2008
Sonya and family,
Our hearts are broken at your loss. When I picture Tom I see a gentle giant with a wonderful smile. Sincere and mischevious all in one!
Know that we are with you in thoughts and prayers and anything you may need. Find comfort in your faith and the support of those who love and care about you.
Greg and Nancy Bouwens & family
Richard & Sheryl Siek
December 13, 2008
Sonya - We were shocked and saddened to hear of Tom's passing. He was such a good guy with a smile for everyone. We treasure your visits to our farm. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and the boys at this difficult time.
Marvin & Peggy Roit
December 13, 2008
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your extended family.
Andrea Benes
December 13, 2008
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Tom was such an awesome guy and so caring towards everyone that crossed his path. We both know what it is like to lose someone so suddenly, who mean so much. We are thinking and praying for you and your family. Always in our thoughts, Mitch and Andrea Benes and Family
Karen, Mark, Megan Werner & Tonya Meyers
December 13, 2008
Sonya, Andrew & Nathan our hearts go out to you and your family. Tom was always a great friend to me and our family and will be so missed by all of us!! Please just let us know if there is anything we can do for you or the family.
Diane Duren
December 13, 2008
Sonya, Nathan and Andrew:
We are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. We know Tom was a wonderful son, husband and father and will be missed more than anyone can imagine. Take comfort in knowing that you will be taken care of by all of your family and friends during this difficult time.
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