Thomas Peter Neisen was the eldest of eight children born to Francis Peter and Amy Nicholson Neisen. He grew up in Marshall and Lynd, Minnesota and graduated from Lynd High School in 1957. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the army and was a member of the Airborne Screaming Eagles.
Upon completing his stint in the service, he attended GBSC, which is now Dakota State University in Madison, SD. While attending school he met his college sweetheart, Marie Junker, whom he married June 2, 1962.
After graduation the couple moved to Norwood, Colorado where he taught 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students American History, Colorado History and science for 29 years. While teaching in Norwood, he was honored to be chosen one of the honorable mention Colorado Teachers of the Year. He and his wife, Marie, were Knowledge Bowl and Knowledge Master Open sponsors for many years. He was an avid model train collector especially post-war Lionel, and restored and showed 1959 retractables attaining the much sought-after Showcase rating for one of their cars. He was also an avid archer and rifle hunter for many years.
Tom received a master’s degree in American History from Western State University in Gunnison, Colorado in 1971.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Marie, who passed away a few weeks before Tom; his mother and father; his grandparents; one brother, Steven; Sister Susan Neisen CSJ; and a sister-in-law and brother-in-law Chuck and Marlys Selken. He leaves behind brothers, Rich, Mark (Jennifer), and Doug (Laura); sisters, Mary (John) Mills, Therese (Charlie) Van Nevel; and sisters and brothers-in-law, Charlotte & Ray Trompeter, Joyce Allen, Earl Junker, Gary & Patrica Junker, Linda & Hi Buescher, Cherene & Randy Zapp; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews and many friends.