Thomas Kotula

Thomas Louis Kotula
Thomas Louis Kotula, 65, Hibbing, died unexpectedly Wed., July 31, 2013 from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident.  He was born March 12, 1948 in Hibbing and was a 1966 graduate of Hibbing High School.  After high school he enlisted into the Marine Corps and had an honorable discharge from the Vietnam War in 1972.  While serving in Vietnam he had received the Purple Heart.  He married Kathryn Stanina of Pengilly, MN on Oct. 8, 1980 and enjoyed 33 years of marriage together.  After returning from the war, Tom worked at Hibbing Taconite for 3 years.  Tom then started his own business from home.  The Kotula Motor Works stayed in business for many years.  On October 12, 1988 Tom started work for Minnesota Power and retired in 2012 as a mechanic.
Tom enjoyed the outdoors.  He loved fishing, hunting, snowmobiling and snowmobile racing with his son Jon.  He loved going for rides on his Harley Davidson motorcycles, but most importantly his love for his family was unconditional.  He loved his grandsons and they meant the world to him.  Tom was always there to lend a helping hand to anyone in need.  He enjoyed taking family trips to Wisconsin Dells and looked forward to it every 2 years.
He is survived by his wife Kathy Kotula, Hibbing, his son Jon (Anne) Kotula of Grand Rapids, MN and his grandchildren Michael, Matthew, Zak and Beau Kotula.
There will be gathering of family and friends for Tom from 4-7pm, Thursday, August 15, 2013 at the Dougherty Funeral Home of Hibbing, with full military honors at 7:00pm.  A private interment will be held at a later date in the Maple Hill Cemetery of Hibbing.  Arrangements are with the Dougherty Funeral Home of Hibbing.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

To sign the online register for Tom, please visit our website at: www.doughertyofhibbing.com

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