83
Hartford, SD (formerly of Wentworth)
October 19, 2022
Thomas Leisinger, age 83, Hartford, formerly of Wentworth, passed away October, 19 at the Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls.
Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 am on Monday, October 24, at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church with Father Bob Vinslauski as Celebrant. Visitation was held from 2 to 4 pm on Sunday, October 23, at Rustand-Weiland Funeral Chapel with a prayer service at 4 pm and Rosary following. Visitation continued on Monday one hour prior to the service at the funeral chapel followed by procession to the church for mass. Burial was in St. Thomas Cemetery, Madison.
Thomas Arthur Leisinger was born on a farm near Hartford on October 31, 1938, to Arthur P. and Veronica M. (Dahmen) Leisinger. Tom attended grade school in Hartford, Baltic, Humboldt and Montrose. His first two years of high school were at Beadle High School, Madison. His family then moved to Wentworth and he graduated from Chester High School in 1956. He then attended SDSC for four years and received his BS degree in Agriculture. Tom started working for the US Department of Agriculture as an Inspector in 1961. On June 2, 1962, he married Carol Wold in Madison. On June 5, 1962, he was drafted into the Army and became a veterinary specialist in Washington DC. He even had the privilege of giving shots to President John Kennedy’s dogs. On June 5, 1964, he returned to the US Department of Agriculture and went on to school in St. Paul, MN to become a bacteriologist. Tom completed his thirty years of government service in 1991. After that he started and continued to work with his son digging graves, mowing lawns and cemeteries.
He served on many boards including Mayor of Wentworth, President of Lake County AG Board, President of SD Coin & Stamp Associations, 4-H Leader for over 30 years, coached many years at 4-H and independent softball teams, Secretary/Treasurer for Wentworth Fire Dept, Adjutant of American Legion and Sioux Empire Fair Sheep Superintendent. During his several years as Mayor, he spearheaded the new sewer system, water system and the new Industrial Park Road.
Tom is survived his daughter, Susan (Mark) Jamison of Marana, AZ; two sons, Jerry (Kristi) of Sioux Falls and Mark (Lori) Wentworth; seven grandchildren, Brittany, Lauren and Haley Leisinger, Tyler, Dalton and Hunter Leisinger and Eric Jamison; three great-grandchildren, Berkley and Hadley Zingmark and Ridge Thomas Leisinger; sister Shirley (Dennis) Van Dam of Colman, eight brothers, Frank of Trent, Richard, Kenneth and Kevin of Sioux Falls, Bob of Highmore, Dave of Hartford and Doug of Crooks; brother-in-law Charles Wold of Wentworth and sister-in-law, Roxy Wold of Chester.
He was preceded in death by his wife Carol (2003); parents Arthur (1999) and Veronica (2009); two brothers, Jim (1963) and Joseph (2013); father and mother-in-law Melvin and Lillian Wold.
Funeral services provided by Rustand-Weiland Funeral Home.