Tom "Turk" Bichsel, 65, of Eau Claire, died on Thursday, October 31, 2013, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire, with family by his side. He was born on May 27, 1948, in Milwaukee, WI, to Gerald and Romelle (Mlynek) Bichsel. He grew up in Independence, WI, and graduated from Independence High School in 1966. He spent 21 years in the United States Navy, two of those years were spent as a cook on a nuclear submarine. He remained a Navy Reservist until he retired. He then worked various other local jobs in Eau Claire. Tom married Linda Kropf on June 25, 1983, in Eau Claire. He loved all animals, going on walks, cooking for Wednesday family night dinner, the WI Badgers, and he was a huge trivia buff. He especially adored his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Tom is survived by his wife, Linda; children, Lori (Randy) Doerhoefer of Roswell, NM, Jennifer Fransway (Tom Walker) of Osseo, WI, and John (Bonetta) Sorg of Eau Claire; seven grandchildren, Scott, Andrew, Samantha, Kennedy, Alyssa, Jacob, and Matisen; five great-grandchildren; sisters, Carol (John) Klevgard of Mondovi, WI, and Jeri (Mike) Garringer of Portland, IN; brothers, Keith (Stacey) Bichsel of Portland, IN, and Michael (Sheila) Bichsel of Portland, IN; sisters-in-law, Karen (Al) Madden, Dorothy Shepherd, Vivian (Gary) Kolkin, and Mary Theriault; brother-in-law, Ronnie (Carol) Kropf; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, friends, and special pen pal, Penny from Australia. He was preceded in death by his parents. Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, November 8, 2013, at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home, 814 First Ave. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Military Honors will be provided by American Legion Post 53. The family would like to thank the staff at Sacred Heart Hospital Emergency Room and Critical Care Unit for their special care for Tom.

Service Information

Visitation

Friday, November 8 2013 1:10 AM - 11:00 AM

Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral & Cremation Services 814 First Avenue Eau Claire WI 54703

Funeral Service

Friday, November 8 2013 11:00 AM

Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral & Cremation Services 814 First Avenue Eau Claire WI 54703