Thomas “Tom” J. Illetschko, age 84, of Carlos, died suddenly on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at his home.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Belle River with Fr. Mark Botzet officiating. Interment will take place at the church cemetery.

Visitation will begin with a 5 p.m. prayer service, with visitation to follow until 7 p.m., Tuesday, February 3rd, at Lind Family Funeral Home in Alexandria. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.

Thomas John was born on February 4, 1941, to Frank and Evelyn (Freske) Illetschko in Belle River. He attended County School District #62, a one-room schoolhouse for his elementary education, and later graduated from Central High School in Alexandria. Following his education, Tom began his working career with P.N. Beheng. He later held various jobs in Fargo and St. Cloud before spending several years working in road construction. Tom was united in marriage to Sharon Feda on December 30, 1963, at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Belle River. Together they had one daughter, Janice, born in 1967. The couple made their home and farmed near Carlos. In 1967, he joined the Douglas County Highway Department, where he served as a gravel and snow removal driver and later became a road grader “blade man,” operating out of Carlos and Miltona. He remained in that role until his retirement in 2003. Farming was Tom’s true passion, and he took great pride in teaching his grandson how to care for, repair, restore, and operate farm machinery. He treasured the time spent with his grandchildren, especially the summer and fall days shared at tractor shows. Tom found joy in life’s simple pleasures, drives along the countryside, familiar stops at the local café, and visits with friends and neighbors. Though he traveled some over the years, his heart was always closest to home.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and wife Sharon in 2023.

Tom is survived by his daughter, Janice (Brian) Doucette of Carlos; two grandchildren, Jon (Mercedes) Doucette and Maria Doucette; two great-grandchildren, Henry and Brooke Doucette; brother, Fred (Marilyn) Illetschko; sister Bernice Illetschko; and niece, Gena Welsh.

Pallbearers are Maria Doucette, Jon Doucette, Mercedes Doucette, Rick Hauer, Jimmy Botzet, Bryan Ziegler, Eric Thesing, and Dave Malvin. Honorary pallbearers are his great-grandchildren and the Carlos Coffee Guys.