Thomas Lee Harling the son of Lewis and Irene (Nielsen) Harling was born January 12, 1939, at Friend, Nebraska. He departed this life on Monday, July 11, 2022, at the Heritage Care Center in Fairbury, NE.
Tom was baptized on October 4, 1939, by Pastor A.E. Bashford at the Congregational Church in Exeter, Nebraska. Tom later became a member of the Grace Lutheran Church in Fairbury, Nebraska.
Tom attended Fairmont Public Schools and graduated with the class of 1957. Tom was active in all sports, and his senior year he was named to the all Star, 8 Man Football team by both the Lincoln Journal and the Omaha World Herald. While Tom was in High School, he spent his summers in Hardy, Nebraska, working for his cousin Kenny Jensby. Tom always considered Hardy his second home and thought of the people there as immediate family. He made many lifelong friends in Hardy.
On March 1, 1964, Tom was united in marriage to Eleanor Ritterbush at Centennial Lutheran Church in Superior, Nebraska. This marriage was blessed with the birth of two sons, Nick in 1965 and Michael in 1970.
Tom was employed at Superior Motor Parts in Superior from 1962 until 1970 at which time the family moved to Fairbury and Tom purchased Superior Motor Parts, known as the NAPA Auto Parts Store. In 1993 Tom sold the store and retired from the auto parts business.
Tom became a member of the Grace Lutheran Church on December 3, 2014, past members of the Jaycees, Rotary Club, Bomber Booster Club, Fairbury High School Booster Club and belonged to the Fairbury Elks Lodge for more than 50 years,
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, sister Kathy Harling-Jones parents-in-law Milo and Edna Ritterbush Way and bothers-in-law James and Harold Ritterbush.
Survivors include his wife Eleanor Harling of Fairbury, NE; sons: Nick and Laurel Harling of Sabetha, KS; Michael and Tracy Harling of Hastings, NE grandchildren: Trevor and Kala Harling; and Dr. Mitchell Harling; Thomas Harling and Scott Harling; and one great grandson Kellen. sister Bette McConaughey and husband Tom of Ocala, FL; sisters-in-law Carol Reitz and husband Rick of Lincoln, NE; Sharon Combs and husband Michael of Superior, NE; Jan Stevens and husband Larry of Omaha, NE; nieces, nephews other relatives and a host of friends.
Graveside services were Saturday 11:00 am, July 16, 2022 at the Nelson City Cemetery at Nelson, Nebraska with Pastor Glen Emery officiating.
Condolences may be sent to the family at wmsfh.com.
Williams Funeral Home
814 Idaho Street
Superior, Nebraska 68978
Phone: 402-879-3123
williamsfuneralhomes@yahoo.com
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