Obituary: Thomas Arthur Lavan

Thomas Arthur Lavan, age 74, of Tamarack, Minnesota passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023 at CentraCare Hospital in St. Cloud, Minnesota. He was born in Cloquet on July 27, 1949 to Gene and Betty (Decker) Lavan. He was united in marriage to Sharon Tobias on August 26, 2020, after a long and happy courtship. Tom grew up in Cloquet and graduated in 1968. When a young man, he was an avid hunter and trapper. He served on a Navy destroyer during the Vietnam war. He was a gifted mechanic and worked in mechanical positions at L&M Fleet Supply (Cloquet), ReachAll (Duluth), and Riverwood International (Deerwood). If it was broken, he could fix it. Fishing was his passion, and he was fortunate to live at a lakeside for many years. He enjoyed tinkering in his shop and making woodcrafts, especially to give as gifts. He nurtured a green thumb and his vegetable gardens overflowed with produce. He relished quiet moments at home and many outdoor adventures with Sharon.

Tom was preceded in death by his father, Gene. He is survived by his wife, Sharon; his mother, Betty; his sister, Beth; his son, Erik (Jessica); stepson, Victor (Käthe) Tobias, and stepdaughter, Andrea (Harden) Henry; and many grandchildren.

Visitation will be Friday, December 8, 2023 from 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. memorial service at Nelson Funeral Care in Cloquet, followed with a luncheon in the fellowship room. Inurnment will be at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery-Duluth, with Military Honors presented by the Cloquet Combined Honor Guard.