Thomas L. Solem

Thomas (Tom) L. Solem (78) passed away peacefully at Francis Mahon Deaconess Hospital on August 20, 2025, with his beloved family by his side. He was born on February 5, 1947, in Akron, Iowa to Llewelyn and Laura (Burwitz) Solem.

He moved to Yankton, South Dakota, where he graduated from high school and then attended South Dakota State University in the ROTC program.

He met his forever bride, JoAnn Dally, in Watertown, South Dakota, and they were married April 17, 1970.

He was drafted for the Vietnam War, where he served until May 1971 as a Prop and Rotor Machinist. His first daughter, Annette, was born in 1971 while he was serving his country, and in 1974, his second daughter, Jenny was born in Yankton, South Dakota. Always a hard worker, his early jobs included painting and surveying before he began his career with the Corps of Engineers at Big Ben Dam in Chamberlain, South Dakota. He later transferred to Fort Peck Dam in 1978, where his third daughter, Jess, was born in 1979. He retired from the Corps in 2002 as a Supervisory Civil Engineer.

Dad was not a big socializer, but he had a heart of gold. His family was his biggest love and source of enjoyment and pride, anything Jo or his girls wanted, he found a way to buy or build it. He embraced the internet and scoured eBay and Amazon, always looking for the ‘deal’. He had a mind like no other and could puzzle out anything from building a custom-made cabinet request to completing a daily crossword puzzle. He was a quiet giver, often times doing things or donating in the background. He didn’t need any fanfare, just taking care of the needs of others as he saw them.

In addition to family, his other loves were hunting, his shop, Christmas, and his pets. All his daughters drew and filled bull elk tags in the breaks, and his shop proudly displays their trophies, as well as countless antlers, pictures, and notes of where and who shot each. He holds a record in Pope and Young for a bull elk and antelope. If not hunting, he could be found in his shop tinkering. He always had a project going, and his shop has everything meticulously labeled. When anything needed fixing, Dad always had a part he had saved from something else and could jerry-rig it to fit. He never threw anything away, knowing that at some point he’d always find a way to repurpose it.

From the time we were born and still into adulthood, he spoiled us rotten at Christmas. A gift giver by heart, it was his greatest joy to find the perfect gift, often times handmade and more often as a joke. In 2000 (Marki), 2002 (Tyler), 2005 (Lexi), and 2008 (Eli) the family expanded with Grandkids that dad spoiled just as much.

He always kept room in his heart for all his pets, going almost his entire life with a dog by his side. We hope they all were there to greet him on the other side.

He will long live in our hearts as the son, brother, husband, dad (pop), and Grandpa that could fix anything, craft amazing wood work, shining example of work ethic and honesty, giving from the heart, keeping things light, safety first, your word was your bond, and a host of other things. His presence will be deeply missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lew and Laura. He is survived by his wife Jo, and their three daughters, Annette (Mark) Sharkey of Helena and grandkids Marki and Tyler, Jen (Mike) Erdahl of East Helena and grandkids Lexi and Eli, Jess (Shawn) Eickert of Townsend, his brother, Mike (Kathy), and niece Roseanna (Justin) Ogan of Pierre, South Dakota.

Dad will be cremated, and a private family service will be held during hunting season, his favorite time of year. Donations may be made to the Salvation Army. Dad never passed up an opportunity to put a little cash in the red kettles during the holidays.