L Thomas Harlan was born December 12th, 1927 in Fort Scott, Kansas to Leo and Opal (Finley) Harlan and he died September 18th, 2008 at his home in Bonesteel, South Dakota at the age of 80 years, 9 months and 6 days. After high school Tom joined the Navy and served in the Philippines until the end of World War II. After returning to the United States, he attended a Junior College in Fort Scott, Kansas. He then moved to Findley, Ohio and graduated from Findley College. On August 28th, 1949 Tom married Wanda Lucille Davis in Fort Scott, Kansas. To this union one daughter was born, Elaine. They moved to Kansas City, Kansas where he attended seminary and graduated from Central Baptist Seminary. He was ordained while serving the Burke/Lucas Baptist Churches. Tom was a minister for over 40 years and pastored churches throughout Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas and South Dakota. Tom retired in 1990 and they moved to Bonesteel, South Dakota where their daughter and her family lives. He did numerous interims in the area. He was currently serving as a chaplain in the American Legion in Bonesteel. Tom led a simple life with simple pleasures. He loved hiking, hunting, gardening, walking and enjoyed his coffee crowd. He was very proud of his family and his greatest pleasure was spending time with his family. Tom was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Leon and Lloyd. Tom is survived by his wife Wanda, Bonesteel; his daughter Elaine Knutson and husband Mark, Bonesteel; his three grandchildren: Kelly Knutson and wife Christina, Mitchell, Kristi Hanson and husband Marty, Brooklyn Center, MN and Kory Knutson and wife Jessica, Sioux Falls; five great-grandchildren: Cooper and Dilyn Knutson, Madilyn Hanson, Brayden and Briggs Knutson; his sister Loene Dixon, Bentonville, AK; his sister-in-law Marguerite Harlan, Ellsworth, KS; and his many nieces, nephews and their families.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, September 23, 2008 at 10:30 AM at the United Church of Christ in Fairfax, SD. Burial will be in the Rosebud Cemetery, Bonesteel. Visitation will be Monday from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with a 7:00 PM prayer service, at Clausen Funeral Home in Burke.