Pastor Thomas Kolden

The funeral service celebrating the life of Pastor Thomas Kolden of Wadena will be held at 10:30a.m. on Friday, October 11, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wadena, with Pastor Nate Loer presiding. Family and friends may gather on Thursday, at the Johnson-Schuller Chapel in Wadena from 5:00 until 8:00p.m. and at the church on Friday from 9:00a.m. until the time of the service. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ To view Pastor Tom's service go to Immanuel Lutheran Church's YouTube page: www.youtube.com/@ILCWadena ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Burial will be next to his wife in Zion Cemetery near Arlington, MN, with Pastor David Fleener officiating. Tom, age 72, passed away due to a car accident on September 29, 2024, near Park Rapids, MN. A 1952 New Years baby, Thomas Ty Kolden was born to Ervin and Evelyn (Kathryn) Larson at Minot, ND. He went to White Shield High School on the Ft. Berthold Indian Reservation, Roseglen, ND. His education continued at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN, and Concordia College in Moorhead. On June 13, 1981, Tom married Barbara Louise Mueller at the Old Zion Lutheran Church in Arlington, MN. Over the years, they lived in Steinbach Canada, and later in Minnesota at Nielsville, Audubon, LeRoy, and Minneota. After Barbara’s passing, Tom lived in Wadena, where he was a member of Rotary and the Immanuel Lutheran Church. In hours away from being a substitute pastor in area pulpits, you could find Tom sharing caring conversations with others whether it be over a cup of coffee, visiting a shut-in, or fishing in the great outdoors. He will be remembered by many for his great sense of humor. Preceding Tom in death were his wife, Barbara (2012); parents Ervin and Evelyn; grandson, Gabriel Kolden; parents-in-law, Robert and Carol Mueller; and sister-in-law, Mary Lou Kolden. Forever loved, Tom is survived by his daughters, Sarah (Pastor David) Fleener of Alexandria, Rebekah (Kenny) McMahan of Fargo, ND and Rachel Kolden of Austin, TX; and one grandchild; brothers, Wade (Linda) Kolden of Garrison, ND and Kent Kolden of Douglas, ND; numerous nieces and nephews; along with a host of friends and faith community members. Memorials in Tom’s name may be directed to Immanuel Lutheran Church (402 2nd St SE, Wadena, MN 56482) and Wadena Rotary Club (PO Box 533, Wadena)

Pastor Thomas Kolden

January 1, 1952 - September 29, 2024