Thomas P. Hannaher

Thomas Patrick Hannaher

April 23, 1925 – May 11, 2018

Tom Hannaher died May 11, 2018 at Bethany on 42^nd in Fargo.

Thomas Patrick Hannaher was born in Fargo, ND on April 23, 1925, the oldest child of Marguerite Amanda (Hill) Hannaher and Thomas O’Connor Hannaher.  At an early age the family moved to Moorhead, MN where he attended school.  He briefly attended the University of Minnesota before enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps. serving in the South Pacific as a member of the Sixth Marine Division.  Private Hannaher’s three years during World War Two took him to Guadalcanal, Guam, Iwo Jima, and the penultimate Pacific battle for Okinawa.  His experience at Okinawa, the largest land-sea-air engagement in history was chronicled in the epic, Tennozan, by George Feifer.  Following the surrender of Japan Tom spent a postwar duty assignment in Tsingtao, China as part of the American security forces.

Upon his return home Tom enrolled at NDSU, where he studied business and met Mary Augusta Niebels.  The two married June 12, 1948 and raised five children at a variety of residences in Moorhead and Fargo, the lakes area, and their beloved Sanibel Island, FL.

Tom was a skilled and respected businessman, beginning with a humble route sales position with Wrigley Chewing Gum Co., followed by a stint as General Manager and broadcaster at radio station KVOX in Moorhead.  While there he established the popular sports program, the Benchwarmers Club, broadcast from the Barn Restaurant at the FM Hotel.  In 1959 he started in the office furniture, equipment and supply business and formed Hannaher’s, Inc. in 1965.  The business flourished under his guidance, and as a community voice he was always highly regarded.  He was active in the Moorhead Rotary Club and Chamber of Commerce, as well as the Fargo Elks Club for many years. Tom and Mary loved to travel and particularly enjoyed visits to Italy, Greece, Japan, and Ireland.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents and oldest son Michael.  He leaves behind his beloved wife and partner, Mary; and children, Thomas John (Ann), Santa Fe, NM; Daniel (Loral), Fargo; Mary Pat (David) Nelson, Breckenridge, MN; Paul (Kay), Fargo; Daughter-in-law Elizabeth Hannaher, St. Louis Park, MN; and one brother, William, Alexandria, VA; fourteen grandchildren, twenty-six great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and two nephews.

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., with a prayer service at 7 p.m., Thursday, May 17, at Wright Funeral Home in Moorhead, Minn. The funeral will be 2 p.m. Friday, May 18, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Moorhead. Interment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery in Fargo.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Hannaher Family Fund at the Sanford Roger Maris Cancer Center, Hospice of the Red River Valley, Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota, St. Francis Health and Wellness Foundation, and1400s.org are appreciated.

The family would like to express its appreciation to all the medical providers that cared for Tom at Touchmark, Sanford Health, Hospice of the Red River Valley and Bethany on 42^nd; the Doctors and Nurses; but especially the Certified Nurse Assistants, our unsung heroes, whose caring and love helped to ease his pain.