Thomas Zauche

Thomas “Tom” James Zauche was born on January 22, 1920 to William and Etta (Trilk) Zauche on the Canadian border in Baudette, MN. He grew up in a very outdoorsy family, spending his youth hunting, fishing, and picking berries amidst the landscape of the Rainy River and Lake of the Woods. At age 18 he was confirmed in the Lutheran faith and graduated from Baudette High School. After high school, Tom enrolled in business school for one year in Bemidji before transferring to the University of Minnesota. The bombing of Pearl Harbor and the United States’ ensuing involvement in WWII called Tom away from his education and across the sea to England where he served in the U.S. Army Air Force. Following the end of the war, Tom was able to complete his education and graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Minnesota. Tom’s career in agricultural finance had him adventuring across northern Minnesota, teaching agriculture classes to veterans in Roseau and Warroad, before eventually settling in for decades of employment with Farmer’s Home Administration. It was in Cloquet, MN where Tom would meet his future dance partner and wife, Rose McCollor, and the two were united in marriage in Proctor, MN in 1951. The couple had two children, James “Jim” and Anne.

In 1955 the Zauche family moved to Alexandria, where Tom and Rose eventually built a home together on Lake Latoka in 1966, where they would spend 35 years together fishing on the lake. Tom’s childhood influences followed him into adulthood where he retained a love for fishing for bass on Lake Latoka, walleye on Lake of the Woods, hiking, bird watching, cross-country skiing, duck hunting, and deer hunting with his brother Norman in Park Rapids. Norman was his partner in crime in a Christmas tree business of questionable success but one that provided many memories and much laughter. In addition to his rugged interests, Tom possessed a softer side in which he loved to go dancing with Rose and planted a plentiful garden, ensuring she would always have produce to can. In his retirement years, Tom could be found volunteering and serving on the Board of Directors for Knute Nelson. A fun and honest guy whose dedication to his wife was unmatched, he will be sincerely missed by all.

On Monday, September 16th, 2019 Tom was reunited with his forever dancing partner, Rose, at the age of 99. He is preceded in death by his parents, William and Etta Zauche; wife of 64 years, Rose; brothers, Norman and William Zauche, and sister, Kathy Prichard.

Tom is survived by his children, Jim (Robin) Zauche and Anne (Bob) Peterson; 9 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Monday, September 23rd from 10-11 AM at Grand Arbor in Alexandria, followed by a memorial service at 11 AM. Interment to follow in Evergreen Cemetery. Memorials preferred to Knute Nelson Hospice.