Rev. Thomas E. Holcombe

OMAHA, Neb. - Rev. Thomas E. Holcombe, 90, of Omaha, died Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023, at Josie Harper Hospice House in Omaha.

Thomas Earl was born June 26, 1933, to Earl and Violet (Solomonson) Holcombe at Swedish Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Tom graduated from Augsburg College in Minneapolis in 1955. While at Augsburg, he met a fellow student, the former Jean C. Pearson. They were married on June 2, 1956, in Minneapolis, after his first year at Augustana Lutheran Seminary in Rock Island, Illinois. He served his internship at Salem Lutheran Church in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and a year later was ordained in 1959.

Over 39 years, he served four parishes in Nebraska: Bethany (Lyons)/Immanuel (Rosalie); Grace (Central City)/Fridhem (Hordville); First St. Paul's (Hastings); and Augustana (Genoa).

While in Lyons, Tom and Jean welcomed a daughter, Lisa, and son, Larry. Jean continued to have an active roll in each congregation while raising their children.

Tom and Jean retired to Omaha in 1998. Tom enjoyed woodworking, stamp collecting and a variety of other hobbies.

Jean died March 26, 2020. They were married 63 years.

Tom is survived by his daughter, Lisa (Gary) Choquette of Omaha; his son, Larry Holcombe (Charlene Mussatti) of Hurley, Wisconsin; grandchildren, Nolan Choquette of Omaha and Andrew (Kyla) Holcombe of Lakewood, Colorado; great-grandchildren, Lilja and Elsie; and many nieces and nephews.

Besides his wife, Tom was preceded in death by his sister, Janice and her husband Roger; all of Jean's six siblings and their spouses; as well as a grandson, Benton.

A funeral will be held Saturday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m., at Kountze Memorial Lutheran Church in Omaha. A luncheon will follow at the church.

Burial will be in the spring at Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis.

Memorials can be sent to Kountze Memorial Lutheran Church Pantry (kmlchurch.org).