Thomas Klotz

On Friday April 19, 2024, at his home in Helena, Mont., after the day had settled, the winds had calmed and the stars illuminated the sky over the mountain tops, Thomas Francis Klotz, age 70, loving husband of Connie Klotz, stepfather of Braden Hallock and "Papa" to his sweet little girl Zoey (the well-known Papillion of downtown Helena), passed on from this life to the peaceful paths filled with butterflies and rainbows that were waiting for him following a long and difficult struggle with Epilepsy. Tom battled hard.

A service to honor Tom and a life well lived will be held Thursday June 6, at 1 p.m. at the Bell Mortuary Chapel in Glasgow, Mont., with a luncheon immediately following the service at the Cottonwood Inn, Glasgow.

Tom was born, along with his twin brother (Bob), on Jan. 28, 1954, to Ray and Anne Klotz in Binghampton, N.Y. Tom would later say that the twin birth was the only time that Bob ever beat him.

Tom's Dad was an engineer with IBM and his mom was the "home engineer" and the mortar that held the bricks together in a home where 11 children were raised.

The family resided in Endicott and Endwell, N.Y., until 1967 where Tom attended St. Ambrose and Homer Brink Elementary Schools until 1967 when the family moved to Rochester, Minn. Tom graduated from John Marshal High School in 1973 (what a handsome guy) where he participated in track and football playing as defensive back. According to Tom's twin brother, Tom's claim to fame during this time was he almost made it to state track finals running in the 880 relay. Tom was a fan of the Minnesota Vikings and the Minnesota North Stars.

Tom went on to graduate from Rochester Community College and received his undergraduate degree from Moorhead State University in social work and a master's degree thereafter in business administration. Tom was passionate about senior care working as a nursing home administrator in North Dakota before moving to Glasgow to become the administrator at Valley View Home in 1992, a position he held until 2012. While at Valley View Home, he was instrumental in developing several programs such as Sunshine Square, the Valley View Home Foundation, the new edition, and he converted the once double rooms to private rooms, to name a few. His work and dedication to the facility added to the quality of life and quality of care for those who resided there. Tom worked as an interim administrator in various long-term care facilities after 2013.

Tom married Connie Hallock, of Glasgow, in Dickinson, N.D., on Jan. 25, 2014. Tom inspired Connie to go on and achieve her Nursing Home Administrator's license in 2013, an accomplishment he was very proud of, which prompted Tom and Connie to move to Helena, Mont., where Connie became the Administrator of the Masonic Home of Montana on Jan. 2, 2014. Helena is where the couple have made their home since. While in Helena, Tom enjoyed mountains, the urban deer and squirrels, the history, his Helena home and gardens built in 1890 that survived the Big Quake in Helena during the 30s, his family and neighbors of East 6th Avenue, the beauty and warmth of Helena while Glasgow remained home for him and close at heart. He never forgot his Valley View Home.

Tom achieved his pilot's license while in Glasgow and was active in Two Rivers Growth, Montana Health Care Association, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Fort Peck Summer Theater in Glasgow. He served on the Montana State Board of Nursing Home Administrators.

Tom was kind and loving, and a great man in every way that mattered. He was giving and he forgave. He loved Connie and all his family to the moon and back.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Annie Klotz.

Tom is survived by his wife, Connie Klotz, of Helena; his little girl Zoey, stepson Braden Hallock, of Glasgow, and his Glasgow Mom and Dad, Bob and Avis Needham. He is survived by siblings Susan and Peter Sanchez, Ray and Diane Klotz, Pat and Jon Ahlness, Bob and Fong Klotz, Joanne and Ron Markham, Theresa and Kevin Dostal, Bill Klotz, Kathy and Mark Steen, Ted Klotz, Mary and David Friend along with Connie's sister Dede Gage (Mike); numerous nieces and nephews and other family members on the east coast and all of his special Glasgow friend and those who have kept in contact with him.

In honor of a great man and a life well lived, memorial suggestion for anyone who wishes may be made to Valley View Home Foundation, 1225 Perry Lane, Glasgow, MT 59230; Montana Health Care Association Nurse Scholarship Foundation, 36 South Last Chance Gulch St. Suite A, Helena MT 59601; the Masonic Home of Montana (Assisted Living Facility), 2010 Masonic Home Road, Helena MT 59602; or the Lewis and Clark County Humane Society, 2112 E. Custer Avenue, Helena MT 59602.

Fly high and soar with the eagles, Tom, until we meet again. Thank you for everything that you have been to me and everyone else. My marriage to you made me a better person.

Words cannot express the appreciation for the outpouring of warm smiles, kind words and hugs from the Helena and Glasgow communities. A special thank you goes out to Simple Cremation and all the emergency responders of Helena, the Ken and Jessie Krueger and Pepper and Jamey Peterson families along with both of our families and my Masonic Home of Montana work family for being there with me every step of the way. Thank you for helping me to stay strong.

Fly high and soar with the eagles, Tom, until we meet again. I will always be with you, and I love you more than you will ever know.

Connie

Simple Cremation Montana has assisted the family. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at simplecremationmt.com.