Thomas Kotula Obituary Thomas John Kotula, age 94, passed away November 25th, 2024, at Edgewood Vista Baxter with family by his side. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, December 5, 2024, 11:00a.m., at St. Andrew's Catholic Church. Family and friends are invited to gather an hour prior for a visitation. Luncheon to follow. Burial at 2:00p.m. at MN State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls. Tom was a kind-hearted man with a gentle soul who was loved by many. He was born in Browerville, Minnesota on January 1st, 1930, to Thomas and Frances Kotula. He was the youngest of 15 children. He was raised on the family farm, doing his share of chores to help out, including milking the cows and making sure there was enough wood to heat the house and the cook stove. His family moved to town when he was 15, and then was able to enjoy the modern conveniences of electricity and indoor plumbing. He always shared wonderful stories and fond memories of family times on the farm. He graduated from Browerville high school where he was a three-sport athlete in football, basketball, and baseball. Tom graduated from the University of Minnesota Dental School in 1954. While in college, he spent a couple of summers working as a bellhop in Yellowstone National Park, which carried a special place in his heart for the rest of his life. While at the U, he met the love of his life, Bette, at a dorm dance. Tom enlisted in the Air Force after graduation, got married, and moved with Bette to San Bernadino, CA where he was stationed and served as an Air Force captain and dentist. He practiced a short time in Robbinsdale before he and Bette moved to Brainerd in 1957. Tom loved the Brainerd area and believed that you should give back to the community you lived in to make it better for future generations. He was active in the community, immediately joining the Jaycees, Kiwanis Club, Elks Club and the American Legion. He helped with the Jaycees Fishing Derby on Gull Lake. He served as chair of a polio vaccine campaign in Crow Wing County to get all children vaccinated against the disease. He was President of the Brainerd Area Chamber in 1969 and again in 1992. Tom helped fundraise for the Chamber Welcome Center on Highway 371 and one of his paintings hangs over the fireplace there. Tom and his family were founding members of Ski Gull in the mid 1960s. Tom served on the board, was a lift operator, and he and his family helped plant many of the Norway pines that are now mature on the Ski Gull slopes. He was also a founding member of St. Andrews Catholic church and American National Bank, where he served on the board until he was 80. Tom was chosen Brainerd Citizen of the Year in 2006. He was awarded the Service to Mankind Award by the Brainerd Sertoma. The Kotulas enjoyed philanthropy in the community including Ski Gull, Central Lakes College Foundation, Lakes Bluegrass Festival, Lakes Music Park, the Brainerd Ski Loons and many other charities. Toms legacy of building the community lives on through his children and grandchildren. Tom shared and passed on many interests with his family and they enjoyed 3 and 4 generation fishing, hunting, hiking, camping trips and other family adventures. Tom was an avid golfer until he was 93. He especially enjoyed skiing with his wife, children and grandchildren and skied until he was age 88. Family meant so much to Tom. He vocalized it frequently and was always ready with a hug. Tom and Bette loved to travel. Their favorite times were in the motor home, hiking and sightseeing at Yellowstone, the Tetons, and the MN North Shore. They also took many vacations throughout the world. After retirement, Tom took up wood carving and painting. His favorite subjects were family or nature themed. Tom moved into memory care for the last 11 months of his life. He continued to share his love, hugs, and sense of humor with many residents and staff of his new "family." He is survived by his sweetheart of 70 years, Bette, his daughters Cathy (Kevin) Dens, Cindy (Tim) Roggenkamp and son David (Nancy) Kotula, 11 grandchildren: Kyle (Lisa) Roggenkamp, Jake (LIndsey) Roggenkamp, Jennifer (Alex) Dens Higano, Christopher (Mandy) Dens, Sarah (Morgan) Salo, Alex Kotula (Marie), Adam Kotula, and Charlie Kotula, Mary Kotula, John Kotula and Peter Kotula, 12 great-grandchildren: Jack, Emily, Della, Finn, Theia, Levi, Hadley, Waldo, Anna, Mason, and Renzo; Rebecca Harris Hunt (Steve's widow). Tom was preceded in death by his parents Thomas and Frances Kotula, 14 brothers and sisters, and son Steve Kotula. Memorials can be made to: CLC Foundation Tom and Bette Kotula Fund 501 W College Dr Brainerd, MN 56401