Thomas H. "Tom" Ness

Funeral services for Thomas H. “Tom” Ness, age 84, of Madison, Nebraska will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 6, 2025, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 508 South Jackson Street, in Madison. Reverend Todd Kollbaum will officiate. Burial will be in St. John’s Cemetery in rural Hooper, Nebraska. 

Visitation will be Friday from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the church. 

Resseguie Funeral Home in Madison is in charge of arrangements.

Thomas Henry "Tom" Ness went to be with our Lord on Monday, September 1, 2025, at Faith Regional Hospital, surrounded by his family.

Tom was born in Lincoln, Nebraska on August 3, 1941, to Tom and Kathryn Ness. He graduated from Lincoln Northeast High School in 1959 and attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Tom's family moved to Hooper, Nebraska where he met his wife, Sandra Peters, while working at her dad’s feed store. They were married in Hooper at Saint John Lutheran Church on June 16, 1963.

They began their married life in Lincoln, Nebraska where his two daughters, Peggy and Becky were born. In 1966, Tom and Sandy moved to Madison, Nebraska where he began his long career as a Feed Salesman and Consulting Nutritionist. He took pride in his work and relationships that he built along the way.

Tom had a passion for golf, especially when his golf buddies and grandchildren joined him. He held the longest membership at Taylor Creek Golf Course. Tom loved the game but would be the first to admit his least favorite spot on the course was IN Taylor Creek.

Another hobby of his was keeping his eye on the weather. Family, friends, and neighbors could count on him for forecasts that were usually more reliable than the professionals.

Tom also enjoyed many years of attending sporting events and activities. He was a proud Dad, Grandpa, and Great Grandpa. He loved bragging about his family and sharing pictures of his grandchildren. 

His memory will live on in the hearts of his wife of 62 years, Sandy of Madison; children, Peggy (Todd) Ridder of Norfolk and Becky (Tim) Hayes of Centennial, CO; grandchildren, Carissa (Kirk) Tellinghuisen, Ryan (Amy) Ridder, Eric (Morgan) Ridder, Nicole (Garret) Denker, Derek Hayes, and Melissa Hayes; six great-grandchildren; brother, Fred (Carol) Ness; and sister-in-law, Nancy (Gene) Meyer.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Kathryn Ness; his parents-in-law, Ray and Adeline Peters; and infant brother, Larry John Ness.

A life well-played, a family well-loved--Tom will be deeply missed.

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