Thomas "Tom" J. Kitslaar

Beloved father and husband, Thomas (Tom) J. Kitslaar, 87, of Allouez passed away on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. The youngest of 7 children of John J. L. and Dymphna (McLaughlin) Kitslaar. Tom was born July 21, 1936. and married Kathy Fry on August 7, 1965, at St. Matthew Catholic Church in Allouez. Over the next 58 years, they raised a family which grew to 4 children, their spouses, and 10 grandchildren.

Tom attended St Willebrord Grade School, Central Catholic High School, and Badger Business College before embarking on a lifetime career in Real Estate. He founded Kitslaar Real Estate in 1955 and assisted thousands of homeowners throughout his 67-year career. Tom truly enjoyed working with his clients and colleagues and was known as an honest and caring businessman. He was especially proud to work the last 25 years alongside his son Paul, who carries on the business today.

Tom loved spending time in the Northwoods of Wisconsin with his family at Halsey Lake and later at a cabin he built that he called “The Ranch”. Many days were spent with friends and family hunting for partridge and deer, or just sitting on the deck “watching the world go by”. He also enjoyed countless hours pursuing his true passion for antique automobiles. Over the years Tom owned too many cars to count. He was especially proud of his 1929 Packard and his 1948 Custom Eight Packard. He would often say “I don’t even need to drive it; I just like looking at it”.

Family meant the world to Dad, and he never missed a family get together. He absolutely loved joking with all his brothers and sisters, nieces, nephews, kids, and grandkids. He would constantly inquire as to what vehicle they were driving, what kind of motor it had and what kind of gas mileage they got.

Tom is survived by his loving wife Kathy; their children: Tom and Heidi Kitslaar, Paul and Lynn Kitslaar, Julie and Scott Eslien, and Mary and Scott Ziemer, and their 10 grandchildren: Hannah, Joseph (Stephanie), Benjamin (fiancée Jordan), Elizabeth, Katherine, Will, Emily, Nicholas, Andrew, and Nicole; his sister: Sr. Kathryn Kitslaar CSJ, as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers and sisters: Bill (Pat) Kitslaar, Mary (Robert) Zellner, Jack (Peg) Kitslaar, Francis (Ann) Kitslaar, Therese (George) Stevens.

Friends and family may visit on Saturday, April 13, 2024, from 10:00am-11:15am, at Cotter Funeral Home, located at 860 N. Webster Ave in De Pere. A service will be held at 11:30am with Deacon Kevin DeCleene presiding. Entombment will be in Allouez Chapel Mausoleum.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Bishop Bob Morneau, and to Dr. A.J. and the entire staff at St. Vincent Hospital.