Thomas “Tom” Kouba, age 58, of Nekoosa, Wisconsin passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, November 27, 2016.
Funeral services will be 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 3, 2016 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Big Flats, Wisconsin. Pastor Sherry Hoening will officiate. Visitation will be 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Friday at Roseberry’s Funeral Home and again from 2:00 p.m. until the time of service at the church on Saturday.
Thomas was born August 17, 1958 with his twin sister, Teresa, in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin to Emil and Donabelle Kouba. Tom was born as a special child with Down’s Syndrome only to impact and influence many lives. Tom is survived by his father, Emil; two sisters and a sister-in-law: Brenda Kizewski (Jim), Terri Harvey-Beversdorf (Tom), Cindy Kouba. Tom was preceded in death by his mother, Donabelle (Petersen); brother, Donald; grandparents, Holger & Hannah Peterson; Frank & Mary Kouba and Godparents Jim & Ella Peterson.
Tom is also survived by nephews and nieces: Fr. Justin Kizewski, Melissa Saeland (Joshua), Jessica Bradley (Daniel), Jamie Gries (Tony), Shane Harvey (Beth), Jenna Lynch (Jimmy), Jillian Kizewski, Terra Warino (Dustin), and Shad Harvey. Tom has 10 great nieces and nephews: Claire Gries, Jude Lynch, Caeli Gries, Mara Lynch, Makayla Bradley, Kateri Gries, Cecelia Lynch, Mason Bradley, Simone Lynch, and Ethan Saeland. Simon gave Uncle Tom his last laugh on Earth on Thanksgiving Day.
Tom began attending Day Care Center Congregational Church in Wisconsin Rapids for handicapped children during preschool age. At that time, there were no Special Education Programs in the area. When Special Education began, he attended Nekoosa Elementary School and later Irving School in Wisconsin Rapids. Names of great teachers that worked with Tom included Mrs. John Siewert, Mrs. Osborne, Mrs. Kolzow, and Mr. Horneng.
Tom began the work field at the Adult Activity Center in Friendship making ceramics and other projects. Special supervisors included Pat Carpenter, Roxanne McClyman, and Richard Stenerson. Tom worked at the Opportunity Development Center in Wisconsin Rapids until transportation was discontinued. He then began working at North Star in Friendship, and Practical Cents Resale in Adams under Manager Sherri Manning upon retiring, and entering North Star Adult Day Care.
Tom had many joys in his life. He enjoyed traveling, dancing, and music. Special Olympics played a big part of his life with swimming coach Bunny Hall in South Wood County who taught him how to swim. In 1978, he was a participant in the International Special Olympics at Brockport, NY with Mohammad Ali leading the presentation. Tom competed in swimming events at this big event. Tom continued Special Olympics in Adams County in bowling, (coach Jani Zanders, Diane Osborne, and others), track and field, being on the first Adams-Friendship Special Olympics basketball team in 1997 with his twin sister as coach and many others helping. His love of sports continued by watching the Packers, Badgers, and Brewers. Tom also was fortunate to go to Florida many years with Mom and Dad during March to share time swimming in a pool and visiting the attractions.
The family would like to give thanks to his group home mother, Penny Maleski, roommate Andrew Scherer, and all members of our great community who helped mentor, coach, teach, volunteer, and protect Tom throughout his daily life in work and sporting events. A special thanks to the Health and Human Service Dept. in Adams for providing a staff of great workers that helped Tom throughout his life maintain his independence to the fullest. A special thanks to Ministry Home Hospice Care and North Star Care Providers for their compassionate care and assisting in his final needs.
Dear Mrs.Harvey and family I’m sending my condolences and prayer’s in family’s time of need please feel free to write me if you ever need to talk
May you find comfort on how much of an impact Tom made on so many lives. He was so sweet to everyone and he will be dearly missed.
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Tom’s family- My Sympathy to you in the loss of such a wonderful person. He brought joy to everyone who knew him.
I am so sorry to hear about Tom’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with the whole family. I will always remember Tom fondly.
You will truly be missed you were a good team member on special Olympics
You will truly be missed you always had a smile on your face and you were a good team member on special Olympics
Sorry to hear of Tom’s passing he was such an awesome person may he RIP my thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time
Condolences sent to Tom’s family through tough times. May those AMAZING memories keep his spirit alive for years to come!
Love Shanna and Nic
Condolences sent to Tom’s family through tough times. May those AMAZING memories keep his spirit alive for years to come.
Love Shanna and Nic
We will all miss Tom! Our condolences to you and your family!
Sorry to hear of Tom’s passing. I had the privilege to help coach Tom for a few years in ADAMS FRIENDSHIP SPECIAL OLYMPICS. He always had a smile on his face. .
We send our condolences and he will be greatly missed by many of us he was such a wonderful man and a great sport
So very sorry for the loss of Tom.
We have some great memories of Tom.
I loved the time I helped coached him in Special Olympics. He loved his basketball. And, Elizabeth enjoyed playing basketball with Tim.
Our sympathy is extended to Tom’s family.Our prayers are with you.
So sorry for your loss. Once you had met Tom there was a special place in your heart for him always.
Deepest sympathies to your family. Tom was such a joy and blessing. He will be truly missed by many.
I’m so sorry for your loss, Tom will be missed .he lighted up the room where ever he was, his laugh ,his smile , his hugs . I enjoyed working with him at Northstar, RIP Tom
He was very sweet. A wonderful soul lost much to early.
I will greatly miss hearing Tom sing along during rehearsals! He always enjoyed life so much. I’m lucky to have known him. He will be missed.
Tom shall be missed by all that knew him.Such a gentle person. Deepest Sympathy.
I always enjoyed seeing Tom at Practical Cents. Our community will miss him.
So sorry for your loss! Tom was a great person who always had a smile. Hold his memories close to your heart.
Our sincerest sympathy to you all. May the love of family & friends make this difficult time a bit easier.
Remember the good times. You did a great job with him.
I am so fortunate to have had the opportunity to know Tom. Kind and gentle individual who was special in so many ways. It was meeting people like Tom that made my time in Adams County most memorable.
My deepest sympathy to mrs.harvey and her family in this difficult time. Tom was such a sweet heart and will be missed by many and never forgotten!
Our deepest sympathies for your loss!! Tom was such a special part of our family!! His smile would just light up the room!! It was just a couple of weeks ago that he smiled at me and proclaimed he loved me!! I told him I loved him too and I was glad it was finally out in the open!! ? He had a special place in our hearts!! God bless!!
Emil,Terry,Brenda and Cindy So sorry to hear of Tom passing. He was very nice man, always had smile and knew who you were. Our prayers are with all of you.RIP TOM
This makes me so sad…A-F Basketball games won’t be the same. Tom always had a big smile for me til he told me I was to Loud…lol. We are so sorry for Tom’s family and friends loss….he was a great guy!
So sorry for your loss.. your family are in my prayers. . Tom was a special guy and he made everyone smile.. he gave the best hugs..
So very sorry to hear…he was a happy smiling face always..
so very sorry on your loss. may God family and friends comfort you during this difficult time