Thomas (Tom) Korkowski, 61, of Bismarck passed away on May 30th, 2026 after a strong and courageous battle with ALS.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00AM, Saturday, June 20, 2026, at Ascension Catholic Church, 1825 S 3rd St, Bismarck.

Visitation will be from 5:00-6:00, Friday, June 19, at Eastgate Funeral Service, 3117 E Century Ave, Bismarck. A rosary/vigil will begin at 6:00PM.

Tom was born on January 23, 1965 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Minneapolis, MN to Dennis and Christella Korkowski. As a young boy growing up in Brandon, MN, Tom enjoyed spending time outdoors, hunting and fishing with his dad and brothers, and helping around his grandparents' farm. He was a member of the Boy Scouts and a skilled athlete who excelled in baseball and football. Tom also served as an altar boy at Saint Ann’s Catholic Church, instilling the seed of faith that would continue to grow throughout his life.

Even in his youth, Tom was fiercely independent. There were many occasions when his parents would ask to help him and he’d boldly respond, “I’ll do it myself.” This quality served him well throughout his life as he learned many skills and was someone that others could depend upon and rely on. Even in his youth, his work ethic was commendable; while attending school, he helped support the family businesses, and he also worked with several farmers during times of harvest and spent 2 years combining with Steve Nelson. Graduating from high school in 1983, Tom went on to Alexandria Technical and Community College to become a diesel mechanic.

After completing his degree, Tom moved to Bismarck, ND to begin work at Interstate Diesel. Shortly after his move, he attended the wedding of his friends, Scott & Julie McCarren, where he met Caroline Jacob. Tom instantly knew he needed to get her number that evening, and he called her the very next day. They hit it off immediately, spending all of their time together, and it wasn’t long before they realized that they were perfect for each other. They married on October 25th, 1986 in Linton, ND, surrounded by their family and friends.

Tom loved Caroline with all of his heart, placing her at the center of his world. Every thought and action was always with her in mind. Tom showed his love for Caroline by filling her car with gas every week, making sure it never went below half a tank. If she wanted to go shopping, he’d gladly accompany her and carry her bags. He was happy to take on any home renovation project she was interested in tackling (as long as he could get some new tools in the process). Tom and Caroline were best friends, and they enjoyed doing everything together. Between dating and marriage, they were able to spend 40 years together. He loved Caroline well by being an outstanding gentleman and the rock of the family that they would build together.

Tom and Caroline were blessed with two amazing children, Staci and Chris. Tom was an incredible dad, who valued spending time with his daughter and son. Staci and Tom often spent time tinkering and working on various projects outside or in the garage, spending hours together working and talking. He was patient and always took time to include Staci in each step. Tom and Staci also spent many hours together at the shooting range, each outing including a friendly shooting competition and ending with a can of pop on the way back home. Tom’s relationship with his son was equally special. Tom and Chris spent their time hunting and fishing, sharing their love of the outdoors. From the Badlands to Colorado, they enjoyed traveling together and making memories during their countless adventures. While Chris learned many things from his dad, the hunting skill that remains unmatched is Tom’s patience. As a family they camped, went for bike rides, and played games. Tom was always there for his children, forever calm and patient. He taught them valuable life lessons and through his loving example showed them how to care for one another.

Tom worked for over 40 years at Interstate Diesel. His career at Interstate was well-suited for his tinkering and curious mind. He prided himself on the quality of work he provided his customers and the relationships he built with them over the years. Tom was known around the shop for his knowledge, his ability to solve complicated problems, and his perseverance. His career introduced him to his lifelong friend, Scott McCarren. Tom found pride, purpose, and joy in his work and continued to show-up, supporting and mentoring his coworkers and friends even when his ALS made it difficult.

Tom knew how to work hard and play hard, and one of his life’s enjoyments was going on vacations with Caroline, the Ovas, the Miles, and other family and friends. Whether it was Hawaii, Mexico, or Florida, he enjoyed traveling with those whom he loved.

Grandkids were another blessing in Tom’s life. He absolutely loved spending time with Zane, Elliot, Carter, Hyde, and Holden. Tom could regularly be found on the floor playing with toys, wrestling, or giving piggyback rides. He shared his love of the outdoors with them through camping, fishing, playing in leaves, and pulling the kids through the snow in sleds. He attended concerts, games, and field trips to show his love and support. On a family trip to Florida, Grandpa Tom provided many rides around the parks on his wheelchair, took the family to an unforgettable seafood feast, and went for many swims in the outdoor pool. Even through his ALS, he found ways to connect and play with the grandkids. He was a fierce competitor on the Wii and was always happy to play board games in which the kids would help him roll and move pieces.

Tom was diagnosed with ALS in the summer of 2023. When initially diagnosed, his primary concern was the impact his disease would have on his family. He stayed positive and tried to make the most of every moment, finding reasons to be thankful each day. Tom grew in his faith during this time. He spent time each day attending daily Mass online and praying his rosary. He grew in friendship with Father Kovash who continued to inspire his faith. While his physical and mental strength looked different from his expert early athletics (and the days of winning state and national titles for armwrestling), his resilience and fortitude was on full display during his battle with ALS. Despite his health challenges, Tom always smiled and remained a beautiful witness of courage for his family.

Tom is survived by his wife, Caroline, his 2 children, Staci (Jarrod) Skoog and Chris Korkowski; 5 grandchildren Zane, Elliot, Carter, Hyde, and Holden; parents Dennis and Christella Korkowski; siblings Deb Korkowski, Rick (Deize) Korkowski, Ron (Sue) Korkowski, Ed Korkowski, and Pat Korkowski; and many brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Jeffry; grandparents, Aloys and Grace Korkowski and Jacob and Hortulana Goering, father-in-law Thomas Jacob, mother-in-law, Esther Jacob; sister-in-law, Corraine Ova.