Nov. 16, 1941 - Jun. 12, 2013
Date of Service: Jun. 17, 2013
Thomas E. Driesel
DECLO – Thomas Edward Driesel, went to be with his Heavenly Father on Wednesday, June 12, 2013, at the age of 71. He was surrounded by his loving family and friends as he went to his eternal home.
Tom was born on Nov. 16, 1941 to Earnest and Mary Loe Faye Driesel in Jerome, Idaho. He was the middle child of three brothers and enjoyed being in the great outdoors. He graduated high school and went on to attend a trade school. Tom married the love of his life on December 29, 1958 in Declo, Idaho and was married for 55 wonderful years. They were later sealed in the Salt Lake LDS Temple June 13, 1980. The greatest joy in Tom’s life was his faith and his family. He also served his country by joining the National Guard. Tom lived in Jerome, Burley, Heyburn, Meridian and Declo, Idaho as well as Kennewick, Seattle and Sunnyside, Washington.
During his life Tom was also active in his community and church. Some of the positions he held were high priest group assistant, service mission in the Burley bishops’ storehouse, home teacher, Young Men president, high priest instructor and Sunday school president. Tom enjoyed helping with the archery for the Boy Scouts, and loved doing a number of things with his mules. He would use his mules to pull wagons and buggies for a variety of community events.
Tom enjoyed working with his hands and held a variety of jobs such as blacksmith, sheet metal journeyman, weldor, Minidoka School District maintenance and cabinetry maker. Tom enjoyed leather working, archery, fishing, hunting, dog field trials and pulling his wagon with his team of mules. He was a great dad who loved hunting and fishing with his boys. Tom loved life and the outdoor lifestyle that Idaho offers. He had such a big heart and was always willing to help others.
He is survived by his wife LeNell; three children, Christie (Kirk) Merrill, Eddy (Sam) Driesel, Kelly (Lisa) Driesel; daughter-in-law Kara Driesel; 14 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his brother Richard. Tom is preceded in death by a daughter Shelly; son, Mike; brother, Bill and parents Earnest and Mary Loe Faye.
The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, June 17, at the Declo LDS Stake Center, 213 W. Main St., with Bishop Garth Searle officiating. Burial will be in the Declo Cemetery.
Friends may call from 5 until 7 p.m. Sunday, June 16, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 10 until 10:40 a.m. Monday at the church.
