Thomas F. Mikrot, age 69 of Kettle River, died peacefully on Tuesday, October 16, 2018. He was born in Moose Lake on March 18, 1949 to Florian and Bernadette Mikrot. Tom grew up on a dairy farm in Birch Creek Twp. and attended school in Willow River, graduating in 1967. He served in the United States Army and was a veteran of the Vietnam War. On June 28, 1969, Thomas married Patricia Zipoy in St. Isidore's Catholic Church, Sturgeon Lake. They lived in Texas briefly while Tom served in the Army. They later moved to St. Paul, where Tom worked as an auto parts salesman. Tom moved to Split Rock Twp. and worked for Jamar until 1979, when he started Commercial Roofing. Tom retired in 2009 and passed on the business to his son, Chris.

Tom's true passion was working with his backhoe and caterpillar on his property, nicknamed the "Mikrot Wildlife Area." He created wildlife areas and engaged in an ongoing war with the beavers who continually thwarted his progress. He was a military history buff and watched "Patton" approximately one million times. Tom was extremely proud of his Polish heritage, attending polka dances, forcing his kids to listen to polka music in the car, and enthusiastically participating in Dyngus Day every year, to the horror of his family. He was generous friend and neighbor, often waking up at the crack of dawn to plow driveways in the winter.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Florian and Bernadette Mikrot, and brothers Raymond Mikrot and Anthony Mikrot.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 49 years, Patricia; three children: Kimberly Mikrot of Minneapolis; Christopher Mikrot of Moose Lake; and Angela Mikrot of Cloquet; beloved dog Mia, of beside Tom's recliner; three grandchildren: Andrew, Joseph, and Daniel; six siblings: Phil Mikrot of Kettle River; Jim Mikrot of Sturgeon Lake; Elaine Kiminski of Willow River; Bernard Mikrot of Sturgeon Lake; Karen Mikrot of Sturgeon Lake; and Florian Mikrot of Kettle River; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. with a rosary service at 7 p.m. on Sunday, October 21, 2018 in Hamlin-Hansen-Kosloski Funeral Home, Moose Lake. Mass of Christian burial will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, October 22, 2018 in St. Isidore's Catholic Church, Sturgeon Lake. Burial with military honors will be in St. Isidore's Catholic Cemetery, Sturgeon Lake.

To sign the guestbook online, go to www.hhkfuneralhome.com .

Arrangements by Hamlin-Hansen-Kosloski Funeral Home, Moose Lake, MN.