Tom Fetch
July 4, 1937 ~ April 26, 2026
Resided in: Fargo, North Dakota
Tom’s service will be livestreamed and viewable below starting at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, April 30 and 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 1, 2026:
Thomas (Tom) G. Fetch died on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at the Fargo Veterans Affairs (VA) Hospital surrounded by family and assisted by Hospice staff. He was 88 years old and lived in Fargo, ND since 1972.
Tom was born on July 4, 1937, at Beulah, ND, to Frank and Freda (Buchmann) Fetch. He served in the US Air Force in Germany from 1954-1958, and married Janice Faye Miller in November of 1958. He went to St. Mary’s school in Bismarck, ND followed by two years at Bismarck Junior College. He began work at Northwestern Bell Telephone company in 1966 in Grand Forks, ND as sales manager and then to Fargo as security manager, until his retirement in 1990. He attended Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Fargo and was a member of the Fargo Elks club.
Tom was an avid golfer and bowler. He won the Senior State men’s golf championship in 2016. He bowled a 300 game (790 series) and was elected to the ND Bowling Hall of Fame in 2012. Tom also refereed football and basketball for many years and was elected to the ND High School Activities Association Officials Hall of Fame in 1998.
Tom is survived by his wife Janice; children Tom Jr. (Jennifer), Marty (Deb), and Julie; brother Vern; and sisters Bonny and Judy. He has six grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his parents Frank and Freda; brothers Willy, Kenny, and Norm; sister Dorothy; and great grandchildren Peyton Anderson and Elijah McCroskey.
Burial will take place at Fargo National Cemetery in rural Harwood, ND at a later date.
Our family extends our thanks to the VA Hospice staff and pharmacist Cristin Williams for their extraordinary support and care for Tom. Tom indicated in his last days “not to worry” as he trusted in his saviour and Lord Jesus Christ and knew where he was going.
Services
Prayer Service: Thursday, April 30, 2026 2:00 pm
Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center
123 10th Street S.
Fargo, North Dakota 58103
701-237-6441
https://boulgerfuneralhome.com
Visitation: Thursday, April 30, 2026 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center
123 10th Street S.
Fargo, North Dakota 58103
701-237-6441
https://boulgerfuneralhome.com
Memorial Mass: Friday, May 1, 2026 11:00 am
Holy Spirit Catholic Church Fargo, ND
1420 7th St N
Fargo, North Dakota 58102
(701) 232-5900
https://holyspiritfargo.com/
Visitation: Friday, May 1, 2026 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Holy Spirit Catholic Church Fargo, ND
1420 7th St N
Fargo, North Dakota 58102
(701) 232-5900
https://holyspiritfargo.com/
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Janice and family our sincere condolences to the loss of Tom .
Respectfully,
Craig & Anita Nelson (Shirley’s and Orris son and daughter-in-law)
I will miss Tom and his stories. We always had coffee and donuts after 730 mass and he was a hoot. He always came late for church and I would pick on him and he said he runs on Fetch time. He will truly be missed.
Tom & Jennifer,
So sorry to hear this. Kudos to him on his achievements. My sincere sympathy.
Oh this makes me so sad. I enjoyed playing pinnacle with him every month at Holy Spirit. Loved listening to his many stories of his life. His last story he told us was that he had an accident & thought he’d loose his drivers license. We told him we’d drive him to wherever he needed to be & he responded with that smile of his and said “heck I’ll still drive without a license”. We all got a good laugh out of that. Our group will really miss him!
Tom and I shared the honor of being the oldest Ellis members in the Fargo club. I have been a Fargo member for 64 years and I believe Tom has 65 years. We were honored last year with a special dinner along with a certificate. Will miss Tom at our special events at the KCs that he always offered a helping hand !
Tom was a jolly, fun guy… a day-brightner!!
Those personality traits made him a great choice for having the coffee & donuts ready for after the 7:30a.m. Sunday Mass!!
He will be missed much! But we rejoice in his knowing he’d be in a better place! Our prayers of sympathy to his loved ones! RIP 🙏 ❤️
My Deepest condolences go out to Toms family. My parents Bill and Sharon Barker always enjoyed visits with him at church may they catch up in heaven. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.
Janice, I’m so sorry for your loss. I didn’t know Tom all that well but enjoyed visiting with him and you when we lived across from you. It’s nice to have family here to be with you when you need them to be. I would be there for you too if you need me to be. May the Lord be with you Janice and may He hold your hand now and always.
Joanne
Dear Janice and family,
So sorry to hear about Tom. He had a big personality and was a great story teller. Sadly our Buchmann family is losing members faster than we are gaining new ones. Hold your loved ones close. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Love from cousin Dolly (Marilyn) Sheets
Marty and Tom, Sorry to hear about your dad. I have many fond memories of our time together on Evergreen and Longfellow roads along with Kid and Greg. Your family was always welcoming and kind of a second home. Hope this finds you and your families in good health. Kent Davis
It’s nearly impossible to be brief when talking about my Uncle Tom, but I will try. I am eternally grateful to have been born into the Fetch family and witnessing the love shared with my dad Willie and all of his siblings. At one time, my Uncle Tom and Uncle Ken lived on the same street as us, and you can imagine how often we had the opportunity to share moments that taught us the importance of love for family. Anyone who knew Tom cherished his unique smile and personality, along with his wisdom and sense of humor. I was lucky enough to have many conversations with him in recent years and will be forever grateful for our final conversation last week when we shared “I love you” to each other. I share that love with you Aunt Jan, and Tom, Marty and Julie. Your dad was loved by so many and will be remembered forever.
Tom was, and is one of those personalities.
He had a way of communicating that was unique, relaxed and always with a dash of humor.
It always felt like an adult conversation with Tom… even if you were only 13 years old.
Hearing about Tom’s passing reminds me of his big personality and the way I felt in his presence.
Many will agree that his presence affected all of us who knew him,
and his presence will always be with us.
Jan, Tom, Marty, and Julie… I miss you guys, and think of the times we shared often.
Toms table,
I was blessed to be able to share a table after 730 mass at Holy Spirit with Tom and Janice for over 20 years. We shared our laughter and Toms jokes..never ending! I was the counter to Tom, Max and Ed. Luckily I did get support at times. This is what family is all about! It was easy to see the Spirit move among us.
Yes, God does have a sense of humor! Tom rests with Deacon Jim now (another table blessing). I can just see them bantering in Heaven!
With love and caring for Janice and the rest of the family.
Dennis Kooren