Thomas Arden "Tom" Langrud

Thomas Arden Langrud passed away March 6, 2026, at Brookstone View in Broken Bow, Neb., after a short illness, with his wife Mary (Betty) at his side.He was born Feb. 19, 1932, on the family homestead near Lougheed, Alberta, Canada to Norwegian parents Knute and Kristine (Wold) Langrud. Thomas was very proud of his Norwegian and Canadian heritage. He attended primary school at Groveland School and Lougheed School, and attended Central High in nearby Sedgewick, Alberta. By fall 1950, he left school to help his father with harvest. He farmed the family homestead for the next 15 years.In 1965, after both his parents had passed, he decided to go to college while local farmer, George Westra, moved into the farmhouse and rented the land. His sister, Pauline, was teaching in Minot, N.D., and offered him a place to stay so he could go to Minot State College.In 1967, Pauline's teaching friend, Betsey, passed away, and Pauline prepared a pie to deliver to the family. When the pie was done, Betsey's niece, Mary Heath, returned the pie dish to Pauline's house and Thomas was there and met Mary.In 1969, he earned a four-year degree in Accounting and returned to Lougheed to farm while Mary moved back to her home in Nebraska to teach. In November, 1969, Thomas drove to Nebraska and proposed to Mary.Thomas and Mary were married Aug. 14, 1970, at the First Presbyterian Church in Broken Bow. They moved to Minneapolis, Minn., for a few months while Thomas worked as an accountant until Mary got a teaching job at Anselmo-Merna schools. Thomas worked for several businesses in Broken Bow including Broadway Market, Cash and Carry Lumber, and, eventually, BD Manufacturing for 24 years.Every summer, Thomas and Mary and their sons - Mark, Eric and Kurt - would drive to Lougheed to spend quality time on the farm and visit family and friends. In 1997, Thomas retired from BD and added a fall trip to Lougheed every year to help with harvest. By then, Rick Snethun was farming the land. Mary retired from teaching in 2006 and would then join him for the harvest trip.Thomas and Mary continued making multiple trips every year until health issues got in the way in 2012. In 2019, Thomas and Mary made one last trip to Lougheed with the family.Thomas was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church north of Lougheed and was very proud of his Christian faith. As a young adult, he taught Sunday school at Trinity Lutheran. After Thomas and Mary were married, Thomas became a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Broken Bow where he served as a church elder.He had a love of antique cars and farm machinery. He enjoyed attending threshing shows and loved to visit historical museums. He had a love of curling and ice hockey and, most winters in Nebraska, he would flood the backyard to make an ice-skating rink, which was enjoyed and remembered by the boys, family and friends.He enjoyed tent camping and going to campgrounds around central Nebraska every month in the summer. The entire family would camp overnight on the annual drive to Alberta and back.He was preceded in death by his parents; sister Pauline (Ed) Redding: sister Dorothy (Al) Vinge; best friend Gus Probst; and beloved nephew Phil Therou.; father and mother-in-law Clinton and Mary Heath; and brother-in-law Charles (Jan) Heath.Left in his legacy are his wife Mary; sons Mark (Andrea), Eric and Kurt (Niki); grandchildren Elizabeth, Ethan, Brynley and Noah; nephews Vic Therou, Dave (Cheryl) Vinge, Don (Reggie) Vinge and Barry Vinge; beloved niece Leslie (Jim) Franzmeier; brothers-in-law Bob (Patty) Heath and Burt (Maggie) Heath; and countless extended family and friends.Tom will be remembered for his kindness and his endless love for friends and family. His grandchildren especially brought a loving smile to his face, even at the last time he saw them during his 94th birthday gathering in February.Funeral services will be Thursday, March 12, 2026, at 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church with burial in the Broken Bow Cemetery and a meal to follow at the First Presbyterian Church.Visitation and time to greet the family will be Wednesday, March 11, from 5 - 7 p.m. at Govier Brothers Mortuary.Memorials are suggested to the First Presbyterian Church or the Anselmo/Merna School Foundation.Govier Brothers Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Online words of remembrance may be left at www.govierbrothers.com