Thomas was born on December 11, 1950, in Lanesboro, Minn., to Clair and Myrtle (Holtegaard) Hatlevig. He was raised in rural Lanesboro and was a 1969 graduate of Peterson High School in Peterson, Minn. Thomas served in the U.S. Army in Germany and Greece during the Vietnam War as an aircraft mechanic in the 16 Bravo Company. While in the Army, Thomas became an avid photographer. Following the service, he attended Winona Vocational School in Winona, Minn., where he received his welding training. He worked on the home farm and as a welder in Fountain, Minn., for many years. Thomas was a kind, quiet, determined man who had a dry sense of humor, enjoyed tractor rides to town, watching the Minnesota Vikings, and hanging out with his nieces and nephews. He was a member of the St. Charles Bible Church in St. Charles, Minn., and the Gideons.
Thomas is survived by his mother, Myrtle Hatlevig of Lanesboro; four siblings: Marlys (Pete Peterson) of Lanesboro, Robert (Helen) Hatlevig of South St. Paul, Minn., and Robin (Adrian) Toy and Cheryl Hatlevig, both of Eden Prairie, Minn.; two sisters-in-law, Pat Hatlevig of Lanesboro and Barb Hatlevig of Winona, Minn.; and by many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his father Clair, brothers Donald and Dick Hatlevig, as well as a brother, Michael David who died in infancy.
There will be a funeral service for Thomas at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 27, 2018, at the St. Charles Bible Church in St. Charles, Minn., with Reverend Jim Barnhart officiating. Burial will be at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Preston, Minn. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday at Hoff Funeral Service in Rushford, and one hour prior to the service on Friday at the church.
The family prefers memorials directed to the St. Charles Bible Church or to Camp Victory.
The family would also like to thank the nurses, physicians, and staff at units 1D, 2L and 3K at the VA Hospital in Minneapolis for their wonderful and compassionate care given to Thomas.
Leave a memory of Thomas and sign his online guestbook at www.hofffuneral.com.