Thomas “Tom” Isaak, 72, of Mandan, passed away peacefully at his home with his family by his side on August 18, 2024.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, August 21, 2024, from 5:00-7:00 PM at Bismarck Funeral Home, with a Rosary and Vigil Service at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue at the church one hour prior to the service on Thursday.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:30 PM on Thursday, August 22, 2024, at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Bismarck, ND. Burial will be Friday, August 23, at 12:00 PM at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan, ND.
There was no courageous battle with Tom’s lung cancer. There was no fight. There was no time. Tom’s cancer snuck up from behind and sucker punched him. There was less than one month from the diagnosis to his death.
Tom was born March 1952 in Hazen, ND to Raymond and Jeanette (Helvick) Isaak. He married Colleen Donlin in December of 1982. They have three daughters: Jessica Stelle of Alabama, Melissa (David) Isaak of Alabama, and Sara (Wes) Jiras of Lincoln, ND, and five grandchildren: Jordan Craft of North Dakota, Reid Stelle, Nate Stelle, Eden Ammons, and Isaak Ammons all of Alabama.
Tom enlisted in the United States Marines in 1969 thinking he would beat the draft. The draft ended shortly after that. He was honorably discharged in 1973. Tom returned home to Bismarck and worked a short time at the ND State Penitentiary before he began his career at the Bismarck Fire Department. He had such a passion for firefighting and rescue. Unfortunately, after fifteen years he had to leave the job, he loved due to a back injury and multiple failed back surgeries. All of you who know Tom are happy that he is finally out of pain.
He loved the outdoors, hunting, and most of all fishing! Tom and his two friends, Steve Schneider and Les Franklund, won the Reel and Rec Tournament three years in a row. They retired from the tournament but knew if any team won two in a row, they would come out of retirement to keep their record. He had a quick wit, brilliant mind, and was kind to all. Tom made an enormous impact on everyone who knew him. He fed the hungry, sheltered those who needed it, gave the best advice, and uplifted everyone who knew him. He is ineffably loved and will be dearly missed.
Tom is survived by his wife of forty-one years and eight months, Colleen; his 3 daughters; 5 grandchildren; his brothers, Richard (Judy) Isaak, Idaho; Steve (Susan) Isaak, Colorado; Dan (Janet) Isaak, Colorado; and sisters, Janel (Mark) Goldberg, Colorado, Laura (Eric) Stoen, Panama, and Karen Brown, Colorado.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Jeanette (Helvick) Isaak; his sister, Mary Koch; his brother, David Isaak; nephew, Joshua Isaak, niece, Meghan Isaak; and fishing buddy, Steve “Schnootsy” Schneider.
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