Thomas Robert Kolosso

At the age of 73, Tom Kolosso died unexpectedly in his home on Sunday, March 25, 2012, with his loving wife, Mona, at his side. Tom was born in Appleton, Wisconsin, on February 19, 1939, the son of Vincent & Rose (Pitzen) Kolosso. Tom was an avid outdoorsman, spending his life hunting and fishing on the shores of the Little Wolf River near the cabin he built by hand. He loved nature and instilled a love of nature in everyone he touched. He taught his first wife, Joan, to deer and duck hunt; his daughters how to fish; and his son, a lasting fear of chainsaws. Tom found ways to express his passion for nature through taxidermy and carving duck decoys. He began carving decoys for the purposes of hunting and later developed into a self-taught folk artist, winning his first blue ribbon at the Mississippi Valley Fair in 1979. He continued to carve throughout his life, often donating his decoys to raise funds for the local chapter of Ducks Unlimited. Tom retired from Albany International in 1999 where he worked as a Warper. Active in local politics, Tom served as the supervisor of the Town of Little Wolf from 2009 to 2011. Tom was happiest spending time with family and friendsworking on his land clearing brush, digging holes, filling holes, mowing the lawn, drinking really cheap beer and talking smart. (Where the occasional mishap or accident was most likely followed by "Not a word of this to your mother.") A talented craftsman, he was often found in his workshop building and repairing this or that for others. Tom will be greatly missed by his wife, Ramona, and her children: Don (Janet) Golla, Rick (Megan) Golla, Brenda (Peter) Huhn, Lisa (Dan) Puskas and their 9-step children and 4 step-great grandchildren; his children: Cindy, Kerry, Tiki, and Kurt, their spouses and significant others; his grandchildren: Tucker, Jenna, and Faith; his brother, sisters and their spouses: Rose (Mike) Grabner, Anne Hein, Carol (George) Sanderfoot, Jeanette (Jack) King, Joan (Craig) Loos, Steve (Kathy) Kolosso; a loving extended family of nieces and nephews, their families and all the friends he made along his way. There will be a gathering of family and friends at the Cline Hanson Funeral Home in Manawa, Wisconsin, on Sunday, April 1, from 11am to 2pm, with something not as depressing to follow at Cedar Springs Golf Course, County Road O in Manawa, where friends and family can celebrate Tom's life. Tom would have a serious problem if he knew you were spending your hard-earned money on flowers for him. He would appreciate knowing a tree was planted, a wood-duck house was built, or a quiet afternoon of contemplation was spent in his honor.