Thomas Wayne Sapa

Thomas (Tom) Wayne Sapa, 82, Lake Park, MN, passed away Tuesday, July 11, 2023 at Lilac Homes Memory Care, Dilworth, MN.

Tom was born November 8, 1940, in Fargo, to Walter and Catherine (Smith) Sapa. He grew up in Moorhead, attended St. Joseph’s Catholic School and graduated from Moorhead High School. He then went on to serve in Army Reserves for 6 years. Tom attended Moorhead State University where he was the captain of the Golf Team and graduated with a BA in Business Management and Economics.

After meeting the love of his life, Patricia Klosterman, they married on July 28, 1962. They resided in Moorhead and welcomed their two children Chad and Jacque. He then went on to open his own Real Estate Appraisal and Consulting Office, T.W. Sapa and Associates, in 1975. Tom was known as the youngest in the Country to obtain the MAI (Member, Appraisal Institute) Certificate. This was a big achievement for him. Their family spent many years attending sporting events, camping, fishing, and hunting.

In 1993, Tom and Patty built their dream home on Upper Cormorant Lake, where they lived together for 30 years. He continued to run his business from home before retiring in his early 70s. Tom enjoyed having his family and friends gather in their home for all occasions. He and Patty enjoyed numerous winters in Texas and Florida. Tom had a great love for the outdoors. He was a lifelong NRA Member and member of Ducks Unlimited. He spent 50 years hunting in Montana with his close friends and family.

Tom is survived by, Patty, his wife of nearly 61 years, his son Chad (Roberta) Sapa, Dilworth, his daughter Jacque (Chad) Baker, Lakeville, MN, his grandchildren, Sammi (Bobby), Sean (Jasmine), Téa (Shea), Lexi, and Nic, and his great grandchildren Sativa, Thomas, and Brynlee, his brothers Mike (Heidi) Sapa and Pat (Tammy) Sapa, his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Catherine, his brothers Jerry and Dick, his sisters-in-law, Lois Triden and Charlotte Sapa, and nephews Jimmy and Billy Sapa.       

Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M., with the wake service beginning at 7:00 P.M., Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead, MN. Visitation will continue from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M., followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Moorhead, MN. A livestream of the service will be available here on Tom's webpage. Burial will take place at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery, Moorhead, MN, following the service at the church.