Thomas Lee Hultberg, age 72 of River Falls, Wisconsin died on April 27, 2022, at Our House Senior Living in River Falls after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease.
Tom was born on August 28, 1949, in Big Timber, Montana, to Donald and Bonnie (Thompson) Hultberg. He was raised in Big Timber and lived briefly in Ventura, California before moving to St. Paul where he graduated from Highland Park High School in 1967.
After drawing a low lottery draft number, he enlisted at age 17 in the United States Army and served as a helicopter door gunner and then as a repair crew chief during the Vietnam War. Upon his honorable discharge, he returned to the Twin Cities and earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Metropolitan State University in St. Paul. He married Patricia Berg on October 18, 1980 at the Berg family farm in Pine County, Minnesota. Over the years, he managed operations for several small businesses.
Tom was a man of many talents who was totally devoted to his family. Known for his playful demeanor, he connected easily with children, and at get-togethers he often chose to play with the kids. He was a gifted horseman who enjoyed trail riding, especially on his beloved Appaloosa, Sonny. He learned to sail at a young age and mastered the sport on a number of boats, from a Hobie Cat catamaran to his 26-foot Hunter, the ChrisAnna2, named after his two children. Over the years, many memories were created sailing on Lake Pepin with friends and family.
He and his family traveled together across the continental United States, to Alaska and Canada, to Mexico and Hawaii, and to England, Sweden, France, and Germany.
Tom served on the board of the Hastings, Minnesota Natural Foods Cooperative as treasurer for 25 years. He and Patricia were founding members of the Unitarian-Universalist Society of River Falls.
Tom was also a skilled carpenter who remodeled three houses and helped to build a home for his family south of Prescott, Wisconsin in 1985. In the early 1980s he learned the craft of piano tuning and repair. For many years he tuned pianos after working a full day at his office job.
Tom will remain in the hearts of his wife and soulmate Patricia; his children Christopher Hultberg of Seattle and Annalisa Hultberg of Minneapolis; grandchildren Harriet Jane and Thomas Houghton Love; brother Kenneth (Anne) Hultberg of Marietta, Georgia; sister-in-law Carol Hultberg of Cashton, Wisconsin; and seven nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings Ronald (Carol) Hultberg and Donna (Herb) Luebeck; nephew Paul Hultberg, and niece Kim Glasscock.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 4:00 p.m. on June 12 at O’Connell Family Funeral Home in Hudson, Wisconsin. The Celebration of Life will be livestreamed – click HERE for the livestream. Memorials are preferred to the Parkinson’s Foundation and Adoray Hospice Services.
