Thomas Smolich

Funeral Mass for Thomas Edward Smolich, 91, of Aurora, will be 10am Tuesday, January 5, 2016 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Aurora with Fr. Steven Daigle as celebrant. Visitation will be Monday from 5-7pm with recitation of the rosary at 6:30pm at Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Aurora. Visitation will also be one hour prior to mass at the church on Tuesday. Burial with military honors accorded by the Aurora/Hoyt Lakes Color Guard will be in Forest Hill Cemetery in Aurora, MN. Thomas died Friday, January 1, 2016 at Northern Pines Medical Center in Aurora, MN. Thomas was born October 18, 1924 in Aurora, MN to Eli and Mary (Skraba) Smolich. He was a 1942 graduate of Aurora High School and later served with the US Navy during WWII. He was stationed on the USS Defense as a Sonarman. Following his military service, he began working at Rudy’s Bar in 1946 and retired from there with 40 years of bartending service. On August 27, 1949 he married Frances Bradach in Aurora. Thomas was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. He also served as President of the KSKJ and was a Town of White Supervisor for many years. Tom was an active member of the Aurora VFW Post, the Aurora American Legion Post 241,its Last Man’s Club and the Color Guard. He was also a volunteer Fireman for Aurora. In his spare time enjoyed league bowling. Survivors include his daughter, Kristine Walburn of Aurora; son, Michael (Julie) Smolich of Gilbert; daughter-in-law, Lila Smolich; nine grandchildren: Michelle (Kevin) Hubbard, Nicole (Dennis) Lerfald, Rebecca (BJ) Schwirtz, Zachary Walburn, Seth (Julie) Smolich, Sara (Brad) Larsen, Jeremy (Sue) Smolich, Jill (Mike) Pugh and Joel Smolich; 13 great grandchildren: Lucy and Andrew Hubbard, Kyle and Amanda Ojay, Greta, Evelyn and Roger Schwirtz, Jack and Anna Smolich, Remy and Harlow Larsen and Sydney and Mason Pugh; great great granddaughter, Autumn Melberg; sister-in-law, Delores Smolich; several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Frances; son, Tom; siblings: Betty, John, Anna Rose and Joe.