Service Information
Tomas “Tom” J. Idso, age 86, husband of Darlene, of Nevis, Minnesota, passed away on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at Woodstone Senior Living in Hutchinson.
Funeral Service will be held on Monday, November 10, 2025, at 1:30 P.M. at Christ Lutheran Church in Cottonwood, Minnesota, with interment in the church cemetery.
Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.
Memorial Service may be viewed at https://youtube.com/live/QdH2CwtlKK8
Obituary
Tomas “Tom” Jon Idso was born on March 30, 1939, in Hanley Falls, Minnesota, to Christine (Anderson) and Tormod Idso. He was raised in Cottonwood, Minnesota, alongside his older brother, David. Together, they shared many adventures during their childhood and teenage years, experiences that helped shape Tom’s interests, character, and values.
After graduating from high school, Tom enlisted in the United States Army. He was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he served with the Army Corps of Engineers from 1958 to 1962. Following his honorable service, he returned home to Cottonwood.
On June 30, 1962, he married Georgia Lee Kelly, and together they made their home in Cottonwood, raising their two sons, Jason and Nathan. During this time, Tom began his lifelong career with Gesme Printing. He was an active member of both his church and community, earning the respect of family, friends, and members of the community as he quietly led by faith and example. Georgia passed away in 1991, leaving Tom to carry on, always treasuring the years they shared.
Fulfilling his lifelong dream of building his retirement home in northern Minnesota, Tom purchased land and built a log home on the shores of Eight Crow Wing Lake near Nevis, Minnesota. In 1994, after retiring, Tom found love again with Darlene Dau, and the two were married on December 30 of that year. Through their marriage, Tom’s family grew to include Darlene’s children — Noland Nehk, Todd Nehk, and Melissa Dau.
Tom was a lifelong fisherman and hunter and enjoyed woodworking in his free time. His attention to detail was impeccable; anyone could see the care and precision he put into every project he completed. He treasured time with family and friends, sharing his quiet wisdom, kind heart, and gentle humor. Tom’s family and friends will remember him as a man of faith, dedication, and integrity, whose presence enriched the lives of all who knew him.
Tom is survived by his wife, Darlene; sons, Jason (Terry) and Nathan (Lynette); Darlene’s children, Noland (Annette), Todd, and Melissa; grandchildren, Dylan Idso, Devin Idso, Darrick (Sarah) Idso, Taylor (Jordan) Carlson, Dalton (Ciarra Resmen) Idso, Kaley Idso, Kaylijah (Dexter) Dunham, Shayla (Josiah Stoesz) Dau, and Saisha Dau; great-grandsons, Ezra Dunham and Samuel Idso; and great-grandchild #3, due in January 2026. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Norman (Joann) Kiser; sisters-in-law, Norma Kiser-Larson and Velda Koltes; dear friends, Steve and Kristin Basinger; and many other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Georgia; his brother, David; his nephew, Kristian Idso; and other cherished family members.
Rick Casassa says
Idso family, very sorry for you loss. Tom was a great man and neighbor, my mom and dad thought a lot of him. God bless Casassa family
Nathan Idso says
Thank you for taking the time to share your kind words about our dad. We were blessed to have a father like him!
Nathan Idso
Kelli Welter says
Tom was a wonderful man and a great neighbor for 20 years. God bless your family. The Welter family, Jason, Kelli, Brodey and Kendal
Nathan Idso says
Thank you for your kind words about our dad, Tom. We were blessed to have a father like him!
Nathan Idso
Bill Hofstad says
Always enjoyed seeing and talking with Tom when I was at the lake. Will Miss him.
Nathan Idso says
Thank you for your kind words about our dad, Tom. We will miss him as well. We were blessed to have a father like him!
Nathan Idso
Heidi Beck says
Wonderful man! Praising God for his life and the wonderful men he raised in Jason and Nathan!
Nathan Idso says
Thank you Heidi for your kind words about dad. We were blessed to have a father like him.
Nice to see you again after all these years as well at LeRoys! Good times and memories shared!
Nathan Idso
Don Kern says
Condolences from the Kern family, I didn’t get to know Tom very well, but on those blustery winter days after fresh snow, I’d run the blower through his epic drifts! Tom would always come out and we’d have a nice chat!
Nathan Idso says
Thank you for helping out our dad on those snow events! He always told us how friends and neighbors were generous to lend a hand and help plow him out, so thank you again for that! Yes, he always did like to have a conversation and talk, he was humbled by the generosity of others and appreciative of the support.
Thank you for taking the time to share your words about him.
Nathan Idso
Sandy says
I have so many fond memories of Tom…he was such a great man and a wonderful neighbor..he will be missed by me and my family….
I send love……hugs ……and blessings
Sandy kappes and family…..
Nathan Idso says
Memories cherished! Thank you for your kind words about our dad, Tom. We were blessed to have a father like him!
Nathan Idso
Melissa Fogleman says
The Idso Family,
We are so sorry to hear of Tom’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire family during this difficult time.
God Bless.
Love, The Fogleman Family
8th Crow Wing Lake
Nathan Idso says
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers about our dad, Tom. We were blessed to have a father like him!
God bless you and all of the 8th Crow Wing neighbors that knew him. Nice to hear about the impact he had on you and others as well!
Nathan Idso
Larry Kor says
Sorry to hear about Tom’s passing. He was a very nice man as are his two sons. Prayers are with his family.
Nathan Idso says
Oh my…, wow, coach Kor, it’s been a while! Many memories of you as my football coach and teacher. Thank you for taking the time to share a your kind words about our dad, Tom. We were blessed to have a father like him!
Nathan Idso
Jason Idso says
Coach Kor,
Great to hear from you…..Nate pretty much covered it with his response but also wanted to thank you for your kind words and support! Very much appreciated!
Bruce & Robin Kriens says
We met Tom & Darlene through Faithbridge Church in Park Rapids. Our relationship with Tom grew closer because he worked on building projects at church with my husband, Bruce, and also worked on our new office building with John Schrader Construction. Tom’s work was precise and flawless – we were always impressed with his workmanship as well as his quiet spirit and his friendliness every day.
We counted him as our friend, and we will miss seeing him at Faithbridge, but we know we will see him again one day in heaven! He was firm in his faith!!
We want to send our sympathy to the family – what a wonderful man Tom was! We were blessed to call him our friend!
Nathan Idso says
Thank you for your kind words about our dad, Tom. We were blessed to have a father like him!
I’m glad you were able to get to know our dad. Yes, he loved his carpentry and building things and always wanting to help. I know his meticulous perfection to detail and always being done perfect. He always told my brother and I that if you’re not going to do a project right the first time then don’t do it at all!
God bless you and thank you again for sharing. He touched a lot of people lives and I’m happy to hear he touched yours in such a special way.
Nathan Idso
Barb Louwagie says
I am so sorry to hear about Tom’s passing. I Barb Juhl Louwagie was a neighbor to him and Georgia and were friends with Jason and Nathan growing up. Great memories in Cottonwood MN living on the Cottonwood Lake. My deepest sympathy to your family
Jason Idso says
Hi Barb and Bev(below),
Thanks for your kind words and support during this difficult time. We were blessed with so many great neighbors and friends in and around the Cottonwood community. It’s very touching to read all these comments. Great memories growing up with you guys and your family! Thanks again!!!
Beverly (Juhl) Jackson says
My sympathies are with you Jason, Nathan and your families. I have many happy memories growing up in Cottonwood with you as our neighbors. You dad was such a kind man, always building something, those were such wonderful times. My thoughts and prayers are with you all in this time of grief.
Jim Perrizo says
Tom and Georgia were some of the generous and kind people who reached out to me when I needed support. A great guy who knew that actions speak louder than words. My condolences to the family.
Jason Idso says
Hi Jim,
Thanks so much for your kind words about our parents. We certainly feel blessed for the parents we had. Nate and I and our families very much appreciate your support!! We learned a lot by just watching how they treated and helped others.
Sarah Melo says
Tom was a shining example of a God fearing man. Im so very sorry for this heartbreak he will be missed!
Jason Idso says
Thank you Sarah,
The final goodbye to your last living parent hit pretty hard but we know where he is and have peace about that. He was an amazing Dad, who led by example. We feel blessed to claim him as our Dad.
Kevin L Kieke says
Sorry for your lose Jason.
Jason Idso says
Hi Kevin,
Thanks so much for your support! Very much appreciated!!