Thomas J. Koeck, 96, of Bloomington, Minn., long time resident of Austin, Minn. died March 9, 2012, after a brief illness. He was preceded in death by Marian, his dear wife of 64 years.

Tom was born May 23, 1915 in Rockfield, Wis. He graduated from Austin High School in 1933 and began his long career in journalism at the Austin Daily Herald. Tom served in the US Army from 1940 to 1945, attaining the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. He saw action in the European Theatre, including the Battle of the Bulge. After the war, he was sports editor for the Herald, then worked for the St. Paul Pioneer Press. He returned to the Herald as sports editor in 1963. He continued his career as a columnist, editor and managing editor, then retired in 1980.

He was a past president of the Minnesota Associated Press Association and the First District Editorial Association. He was a gifted writer, editor and mentor. Tom was active in the Lions Club, a member of the First United Methodist Church, Austin and a member for over 50 years of the Austin Country Club. He loved golf, baseball and travel with Marian.

He is survived by his children, Gretchen (Jack) Sjoholm, Jr., St. Paul, Minn. George (Kim) Koeck, Fargo, N.D. and Joann Nordin (Bruce Jones), Minneapolis, Minn.; grandchildren, Sarah (Jeffrey) Gorsuch, Kristin Sjoholm, Emily, Zachary, Mackenzie and Marc Koeck and great-grandchildren, Adela Sjoholm, Julia Gorsuch, Eric, Scott and Michael Gorsuch. Tom will be missed and always remembered by his family, and his many friends from Austin and at Meadow Woods. Memorial service 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, March 13 at the Chapel at Meadow Woods Assisted Living, 1301 E 100th St., Bloomington. Interment of ashes will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Meadow Woods Assisted Living to support resident activities and pastoral care.