Thomas Mann

Thomas Mann, 94, of Langdon, ND, passed away May 11, 2022, in Wabasha, MN. 

Thomas Mann was born to Philip and Mary (Deck) Mann April 22, 1928, in Perry Township, Cavalier County, the youngest of 17 children. He had 11 years of schooling in Loma Special School District and graduated from high school from St. Alphonsus in Langdon in 1945. After helping his parents on the farm until 1949, he married Mary Ester Machacek in the Holy Family Trinity Catholic Church in Dresden, ND, on June 15, 1949. They purchased a farm in Gordon Township and farmed for 40 years. They raised six loving children, a basketball team and a cheerleader – five boys and one girl. Tom and Mary retired from farming in 1989. They moved into their new home in Langdon in 1977 and were active in the community throughout their later years. 

Tom was an outstanding center, left, and rover fielder playing softball and baseball with the Loma and Alsen baseball teams. Tom and Mary both loved music and dancing. They square danced for about 30 years. They had gone many times to Branson, MO; Nashville, TN; Minot Hostfest; Medora musical; Frost Fire and many local musicals. Later in life “Tom and His Sidekicks” Olin Olson, George Schmiess, Bob Tapson, Don Klein and Pastor Michael Jarrett entertained at nursing homes (and sometimes other occasions) with Tom playing the harmonica and the sidekicks with guitar or other string instruments. 

Tom also had a lot of pride for lighting and decorating their house and yard for the Christmas season. He spent many years serving on public boards – Gordon Township School Board and election board, Alsen School Board, Region III, North Central Planning Council, Solid Waste board, Citizens Advisory board for State Water Commission, and citizen’s delegate for Cavalier County, Sr. Meals on Wheels, President of Langdon Sr. Citizens Club, Cavalier County Museum in Dresden, president of Cavalier County crop improvement, Cavalier County JDA, Cavalier County Farm Service, Grain Loan Inspector, Langdon City Election board and Cavalier County Commissioner. He was a 3rd degree Grand Knight and a 4th degree Faithful Navigator for the Knights of Columbus and a member of Langdon Eagles Club Aerie #3454. 

Tom is survived by his sons: Duane (Sherry), James (Brenda), Philip (Colleen), Michael (Terrie); daughter Mary Jane (Dan) Moravec,; daughter-in-law Monica (DeeDee) Mann; sister-in-law Betsy Machacek; brother-in-law Jim (Marsha) Machacek; 16 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grand child and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary; his son, Charles; his parents; ten brothers and six sisters.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 17, 2022, at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Langdon, ND. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service on Monday, May 16, 2022, at Brooks Funeral Home in Langdon, ND. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Langdon, ND.