 | Thomas "Tom" Huiting | May 13, 1947 ~ October 21, 2024 | 77 Years Old
No matter how dark it gets, the sun will rise again. What ties a family together? It’s the memories. Thank you for the memories, Tom.
Early on Monday, October 21, 2024, a darkness fell over our family. That’s the day we lost Tom, husband, dad, Papa, son, uncle, brother, friend and godfather at the age of 77. Tom was born on May 13, 1947 to his loving parents, Ted and Jule Huiting in Little Chute, where he spent his entire life before heading to college. Sports and schoolwork were his focus and he excelled at both.
After graduating from St John’s High School in Little Chute, he attended UW Madison before transferring and graduating from UW Oshkosh. He went on to a career of helping anyone he could. Tom was a spiritual man of great faith and his life reflected his love of God. His career included Director of Religious Education at St Thomas More in Appleton, St John’s in Little Chute and Holy Name in Kimberly. During these years he ran numerous CORE Retreat Weekends for youth. Many of his friends and family members were recruited to help with the small groups, discussions, and even the square dancing. The gift Tom was given he used to pull those weekends off and send the kids home, feeling closer to God and knowing they were loved. Those weekends were also exhausting but Tom was in his element, helping others!
The next move for Tom was CASI, a counseling service for those who suffered with alcohol and drug problems. Again, he served the community by helping others. Tom went on to became Manager of Behavioral Health at Theda Clark in Neenah where he witnessed many many patients receive the care they needed and oversaw the entire operation while also counseling. Then on to manage CSI (not crime related) in Rhinelander, Wausau and Madison. This counseling service helped folks with addictions. Always helping others! During his years in the “helping workforce”, he was also involved in many committees including the original HIPAA law writing and enforcement, serving on the Community Blood Center, serving on several state addiction boards, being a Hospice volunteer, organizing a youth choir, and singing and playing guitar in several church choirs….all examples, again, of him helping others.
“Up North” was a favorite place for Tom, especially as he captained his pontoon and navigated the waters of Chute Pond. This was after his maiden voyage when he ran out of gas in the middle of the lake! With his guitar in hand, he entertained many campers around his fire that was always way too hot for sitting close. His cooking skills were second to none, especially outdoor cooking when his friends insisted on basting that turkey for him. His “Rocky Bleier” story was told over and over, much to the delight of anyone who would listen. After the grandkids started to arrive, “Papa’s” favorite place was with them.
Tom is survived by his wife of 56 years, Sandy (Lemmers) Huiting; Daughter, Mindy (John) Hollander; Son, Mike (Bridget) Huiting; Grandchildren: Jillian (Gavin), Evan (Hadley), Rachel (Cooper), and Jacob. Also surviving are Tom’s siblings: Dick (Esther) Huiting, Tim Huiting, Mark (Anne) Huiting, Marsha (Tom) Guckenberg; Goddaughter and Sister Ann (Jim) Weigman; sister-in-law, Paula Huiting and many nieces and nephews. Sandy’s siblings include: Paul (Peg) Lemmers, Jeanne Lemmers and Dan (Gail) Lemmers; Godson, Tony Lemmers, and many nieces and nephews. Further survivors are his “Coffee Jerks” friends (his name for the great guys that meet every morning at Wildfire Coffeehouse), especially Mark, Bob, Danny, Denny and Roy. He truly treasured all of your friendships.
Those preceding him to heaven are his parents, his brother Terry, and his in-laws Carl and Rita Lemmers.
Memorial services will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church, 411 Vandenbroek Street, Little Chute. Visitation will be at the church from 2:00 p.m. until the time of the Mass. For online condolences, please visit www.verkuilenfh.com. In lieu of flowers, please take some time to help others in need.
“BE KIND, ON PURPOSE, AT LEAST ONCE A DAY”. Tom Huiting |
1947 - 2024 (77 years)
