Charles "Tom" Merrill Serene

Tom Serene, a U.S. Navy Veteran of WWII, age 97, of Pepin, WI passed away peacefully on August 24, 2023 at his home with his family by his side.

Tom was born Jan. 2, 1926 to Charles and Bernice (Fuller) Serene in Pepin. He enlisted in the U.S.Navy in Dec. 1943 during his Senior year of High School. His mother was issued his diploma when his class graduated in 1944. He proudly served aboard landing ships in the Pacific area during WWII. After the war was over, he received an Honorable Discharge and joined the Reserves. He returned to Pepin and worked on a railroad bridge crew.  He married Mary Lou Kauth in 1947. They moved to Kansas City, MO where he attended a plumbing and steam fitting school, the trade he worked at until he retired.  They moved to Phoenix, AZ for 5 years, then to Minneapolis, MN. They were blessed with 4 wonderful children and moved back to Pepin for their schooling. His wife, Mary Lou passed away in 1966. He married Maryls Kauth Farrand in 1974.

Tom was active in several community organizations. He served on the Immanuel Lutheran  Church counsel, The Village board, the Pepin Fire Department and was a National Registered EMT for the Pepin ambulance. He served 50 years on the Oakwood Cemetery board with the last 34 years as president.

In his spare time, he loved working on his little farmstead on 16th Creek. He also enjoyed hunting, gardening and set lining on Lake Pepin.

He is survived by his wife, Marlys, his children, Cindy Erickson, Debra (Randy) Rahrmann, William (Sharon) Serene, Susan (Jim) Tiedke; also his step children, Curtis (Jackie) Farrand, Jeffrey Farrand, Chris (Peggy) Farrand, Lori (Alan) Anderson; his grandchildren, Jacqueline (Gary) Cook, Brent (Shannon) Erickson, Heather (Ryan) Lee, Brady (Diana-deceased) Rahrmann, Toni (Josh) Sterry, Travis (Jenae) Brantner, Josh (Jessi) Anderson, Kyle Anderson, Jordan (Julie) Farrand, Ashley (Ryan) Robertson, Alycia (Carl) Robinson, Brian Farrand, Sarah Farrand, Rick Hamilton, his great grandchildren in chronological order; Taylor, Riley, Lydia, Gavin, Raif, Aaden, Jameson, Willow, Sullivan, Elise, Alexa, Lauren, Tyler, Aycen, Conrad, Allison, Evan, Charlie, Elijah, Jillian, Rosie; and his sister-in-law, Darlene Serene.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Bernice Serene, wife, Mary Lou Serene, 2 infant children, Gregory and Mary, his siblings, Robert Serene, Betty Lou (Galen) Quarderer and Dan Serene.

Memorial services for Tom will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Pepin at 11:00 am on Saturday, September 16, 2023. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services at the church. Military rites and burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery with lunch following at the church basement.

Thank you to St. Croix Hospice for their wonderful and compassionate care for Tom and his family. Services are entrusted to Goodrich Funeral Home in Durand, WI. To express on-line condolences, visit obituaries at www.goodrichfh.com

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