Thomas Isaac Wilkins
July 13, 1936 - April 28, 2020
Obituary
BLACK EARTH - Thomas Isaac Wilkins passed away April 28, 2020, at Aster Assisted Living in Monroe, Wis. He was born July 13, 1936, in Madison, Wis. to Otto and Myrella (Halverson) Wilkins.
Tom was a man of faith and lived his life by example without even realizing because it was natural, and it was the way he lived from a young person throughout life. He was a faithful member of the Vermont Lutheran Church in Black Earth. Tom had a passion for athletics and was interested in any activity or event that took place at the school and community he was in. As he went on to another community, he kept in contact with many and subscribed to their local newspaper that still comes to his mailbox every week. He was genuinely interested in any community he served.
Tom graduated from Black Earth High School and from the University of Wisconsin--Madison becoming a teacher, administrator and coach. He believed in progress in education and enjoyed seeing his students and athletes improve from young people and beyond from year to year.
Tom was an athlete himself participating in baseball, basketball, and football in high school. He played Home Talent baseball first with Cross Plains for a couple years and then for his hometown team in Black Earth where he earned recognition for League Leading Batter with an average of .444 in 1967.
Tom was inducted in the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in August 2000 and has a plaque in his honor on the Hall of Fame Wall at "Just a Game" in Wisconsin Dells. His philosophy is well explained on these plaques.
He was the owner of lsaac's Antiques & Soaps in Mount Horeb, Wis. since 1995 providing many improvements and updates over several years. He appreciated and enjoyed the many loyal employees and renters that we have been so fortunate to have.
His survivors are his sister, Barbara (Kenneth) Olson; his devoted companion and friend, Patsy Hawkinson; nephews and niece, David (Kristina) Olson, Jan (John) Hagen and Trygve (Marci Martin) Olson; grand-nephews and nieces, Tyler Olson, Trisha Olson, Riley (Inseon) Hagen, Darby Hagen, Brady Hagen and Brandon Hagen; and other relatives and friends.
We would like to thank Aster Assisted Living in Monroe and Monroe Hospice for the exceptional care Tom received. Aster is truly an exceptional home. We also want to thank the many people in our community and beyond that showed concern for Tom and for Pat and the family.
Due to the COVID-19 Virus, a memorial service will be held at a later date at VERMONT LUTHERAN CHURCH, 9886 Vermont Church Rd., Black Earth. Please see www.gundersonfh.com for updated service information and to leave condolences for the family.
Gunderson Camacho Black Earth
Funeral & Cremation Care
1710 Center St.
(608) 767-3684
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Memories
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Chris &Barb Schanen
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So many fond memories of Tom. Here’s one! Shortly after being hired in Campbellsport to coach girls basketball, my wife Barb and I were out with him for a fish fry. She asked him what he did during the summers. (Off season). Do you golf she asked. Well I’ve tried it, but I’m not very good at it. I’m just a basketball junkie! Summers too she asked? He replied, summers, fall, winter and spring! He’s touched so very many lives coaching that sport. His players and fellow coaches all benefited from his enthusiasm and kind heart! Rest In Peace Tom! You’ve earned it. Chris & Barb Schanen, Campbellsport
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Brad Shutter
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I had the privilege of getting to know Tom during his coaching days in Campbellsport WI. I was just beginning my coaching at Plymouth High School and even though we were rivals, I was always impressed how well his teams were coached and tried to emulate what his teams did. Tom was a wonderful teacher of the game and truly believed in the power of simplicity and execution in basketball. After Tom left Campbellsport, we would run into each other every year at the WBCA Clinic. I always enjoyed catching up and sharing coaching ideas together. Tom was a wonderful coach, teacher and mentor. Brad Shutter, Plymouth
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Scott Carlson
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Tom was a once in a lifetime type of person, and I feel so blessed to have had him as a friend, and mentor. He was such a positive influence on so many young people in his life, and even a few older ones like me. Because of Tom I have done some many things I thought I would never do, experienced things I never thought I'd experience, and met and made friends with so many people I never would have known if it weren't for Tom. He will be greatly missed by many! My thoughts and prayers go out to his Family and dear friends. Scott Carlson
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Tom and JoBeth Hercules
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I first met Thomas as a first year teacher in Glidden and he was hired as the principal and head boy's basketball coach. We ended up renting an apartment together for 3 years above the IGA store. We were kind of like the odd couple, neither could cook so mac & cheese became a staple food for us. but had great times on the cross country ski trails. When he moved on I kept in touch as he continued his coaching career. Then I had the opportunity and privilege of hiring as the girl's coach at Campbellsport and enjoyed watching his practices and games there. You could tell he not only loved the game of basketball but he always, in every school he coached at put the student athletes first. I quote, "A good coach can change a game, a great coach can change a life." Tom was a great coach, mentor for his many assistant coaches, and a wonderful, spiritual person. God Bless him.
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Randy McKibben
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So sorry to hear of Coach Wilkins passing. When I was at my first radio job in Park Falls, I remember covering
Glidden basketball. I was always impressed by Coach Wilkins and his approach to the game. To all of his
former players and to his family and friends, I am truly sorry.
Randy McKibben
Sarona, WI
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Virginia Iline Marking
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Dear Barbara,
You may remember me as someone who married a guy from Black Earth HS, because I met you at a BE Reunion. My late husband, Ed Marking, graduated in the class of 194.. But my memory of you and Tom goes back more than 75 years. At the time my last name was Pfister and we owned a farm on Hwy 78 near Beatie school where your aunt Hannah Wilkens taught my older siblings. The school closed the year I started first grade. In this memory, you, Tom and I were at Vermont Lutheran church with the Ladies Aide group and we were "helping tie" a quilt for a gift for Hannah and Gary's wedding. We three were put under the quilt frame to push the needles back up. My mom so enjoyed this group. I remember that it was a dark room (basement?) with little ventilation. All these ladies wore their "going shopping" shoes. At that time socks/stockings were not always changed every day and I think it was pretty warm under the quilt frame. At least I remember it didn't smell too fresh!
Ed and I used to work at the Coliseum and every year Tom would look us up to say "hi" at the State basketball tournament. Our families have been entwined for many years. At one point my family moved to McFarland and I became acquainted with your cousin Andrea. I think she was a bit younger than me. We saw the Lindstrum's and Daley's often while there. And my sister, Rose, became a friend of Hannah's when Hannah lived by Lake Waubesa. According to my family's lore, your Grandma W. taught me to say WATER correctly. I vaguely remember too.
When I saw Tom's obit in the paper Sunday morning, I picked up the phone to call my sister, Rose, and started to dial her number only to remember that I lost her on March 29th, 2020.
Ironically, I remember Laura and Elmer Lindstrum and I seem to remember going to Marie's wedding.
God Bless, Iline Pfister Marking.