Thomas F. Hnizdil, 89, of Merino, passed away Feb. 25, 2007, in Sterling. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, March 2, at Chaney-Reager Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 3, at Chaney-Reager with Skyler Gartin and John Hartig officiating. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery.

Tom was born Aug. 16, 1917, to Frank Joseph and Josephine (Voda) Hnizdil on the old Budin ranch in Pawnee Valley, now the Van Berg ranch. He was a lifelong resident of Willard, living on a ranch southwest of Willard for the past 53 years. He was able to continue to live on his own through sheer determination until his recent illness and death.

Tom was a proud graduate of Willard High School, where he was an excellent athlete, playing on the 1935 championship basketball team. Later, he also received several championship trophies for throwing horseshoes when horseshoes was a competitive sport in this area.

After graduation, he worked hauling rock with a team and wagon and helped reinforce the dam at North Sterling Reservoir by hand. In 1941, he joined the U.S. Army for World War II, receiving his training at Camp Clayborn in Louisiana. He was stationed in Anchorage, Alaska, and served as a mechanic on the Alaskan Railroad.

When his father's health was failing, he returned home to the Willard area to help with the farming and ranching. He also ran Tom's Auto Service in Willard at the same time.

He married Katherine Nation later in his life, on June 23, 1969, and they spent 34 years together. Tom will be remembered for his humble way of life, quiet nature, stubbornness, frugality, and love of his farm and the Willard area. He also enjoyed and loved his family, sharing a special bond with his brother, Paul, his namesake, Thomas Hnizdil and family, and his grandson, Cody Howell and family.

Tom is survived by his brothers, Paul Hnizdil and wife Betty of Greeley, Chuck Radda and wife Joy of Omaha, Neb.; sisters, Adeline Johnson and husband Kent of Arvada, AnnaLee Marshall of Fort Morgan, and Violet Christopherson of Casper, Wyo.; former wife, Katherine Nation; stepchildren, Sonny Nation and wife Deb of Buffalo, S.D., Carol Peddicord and Kathi Howell of Windsor, and Cheri Simon and husband Mark of Fort Collins; grandson, Cody Howell and family of Sterling; granddaughters, Katie Howell of Fort Collins, and Dawn Buck and husband Jamie of Greeley; and many other grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; stepmother, Blanche Marie Sevic Hnizdil; his brother Frank; and nephew, James Alan.

Tom was dearly loved and will be missed by all.

Memorials may be made to the Thomas Hnizdil Memorial Fund.