Thomas 'Tom' J. Kirkeide, 68, of Devils Lake, ND and formerly of Baker, ND passed away Sunday, November 30, 2025 surrounded by his loving family, at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND.  Memorial Service will be held at 11:00AM Saturday, December 6, 2025 at the Leeds Lutheran Church with Pastor Sharon Baker officiating.  Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service at the church.  Burial will be held at the St. Petri Church Cemetery in rural York, ND, following the reception.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the St. Petri Lutheran Church Cemetery Fund: 3551 58th Street NE Rugby, ND 58368.

Thomas J. Kirkeide was born September 27, 1957 in Fargo, ND to LeVon and Pat (Knote) Kirkeide.  He was raised and educated in Fessenden, ND, attending Fessenden Public School and graduating with the class of 1975.  Tom's love for farming came at a young age, helping his uncle Jay Kirkeide throughout his high school years.  He furthered his education in Fargo, where he attended North Dakota State University, before moving to Baker, ND in 1977 to farm with his father and brothers.

Tom was united in marriage to Kim Blomster on October 27, 1984 in Leeds, ND.  To this union, the couple welcomed two sons, Tyler and Travis.  Baker was home until 2022, when he moved into his and Kim's dream home in Devils Lake.  Tom was quiet and reserved until he got to know you, and then would let his wit and humor take over.  He enjoyed deer hunting and fishing; being at the lake; morning snuggles with Tera; and spending holidays with his family.  He especially adored his three granddaughters; Anna, Cora, and Isla, who brought him immense joy and happiness.

Besides Kim, farming alongside his "boys" was the 2nd love of his life.  Tom also raised Black Angus cattle in his earlier years and enjoyed welding and metal fabricating.  He was even welding just days before he passed away.  In his later years, Tom enjoyed "playing" in the fields such as harrowing, picking rocks, and cultivating. No tree was safe once he was eventually able to own his dream toy, an excavator, which left him feeling like a kid again. Tom sat on the Broe Township board, was a member of both the NDSU Bison Football Team Makers and Leeds Lutheran Church and was Grand Marshal for the annual Baker Day parade every July 11th.

Tom is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Kim; sons, Tyler (Jamie Buckmier), Travis (Brooke); grandchildren, Anna, Cora, and Isla; siblings, Paul (Delise) Kirkeide, Cathryn (Craig) Larson, Karen (Keith) Schindler; mother-in-laws, Marlene Ovitt and Debbie Blomster; brother-in-law, Craig (Carol) Blomster; numerous nieces and nephews, and his little buddy, Tera.

He was preceded in death by his parents, LeVon and Pat Kirkeide; brother, Jim Kirkeide; father-in-law, Dennis Blomster; niece, Katie Schindler-Prins.