Thomas Michael Bloom died peacefully at home on December 19, 2025, after a long battle with cancer and the loss of his soulmate, Mary, on December 4, 2025.

Tom was born on March 19, 1947, in New Ulm, Minnesota to Ralph and Ardis (Pierson) Bloom. The oldest of five siblings, the family moved frequently in MN, from New Ulm, to Upsala, to Sacred Heart, finally settling in Stanley, Wisconsin when his dad bought the local newspaper.

As a teenager, he worked at the ‘shop’, as we called The Stanley Republican, learning some of the ins and outs of publishing a newspaper. This included contributing as the summer sports reporter. He graduated from Stanley-Boyd High School in 1965 near the top of his class.

Tom was very popular, chosen as Junior prom king and to be on the Homecoming and Christmas Ball courts, was Senior class president and editor of the yearbook. He was also a great athlete, excelling in football, basketball, baseball and track. In addition, he was an artist, painting the education department windows of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Stanley for Christmas.

After graduation he enlisted in the Wisconsin National Guard and was later honorably discharged. He attended the University of Minnesota for a period of time before heading into the work force. He quickly became a sales manager for John Sexton and Company, a large food distributor, and was transferred to California to oversee Los Angeles County.

In 1978, Tom moved his family back to Wisconsin and using his years of experience with food and restaurant kitchens, bought Calderwood Lodge on Bone Lake and turned it into a thriving restaurant. People still talk about his amazing prime rib and beer cheese soup. Using that as a jumping off point, he opened Beer Cheese Bloom’s in Rice Lake, WI. This is where he met Mary Hinckle, owner of Mary’s Midway Bar. They fell in love and were married in 1992.

Tom retired from the restaurant business and became Mary’s partner at the bar. In his free time, he designed and worked on his house, loved to travel, read, puzzle and spend time with family and friends. Tom will be remembered for his infectious, jolly laugh and his BIG personality!

Tom was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary; his son, Christopher; parents, Ralph and Ardis; sister, Nancy Miller; and stepsister, Kelley Chrouser. He is survived by his daughters, Erin (Aaron) Kasper and Jeanette (Cedric) Price; siblings, Douglas (Vickie) Bloom, Wendy (Chris) Austin; Kathleen Bloom (Allen Bernard); brother’s-in-law, Mike Miller and Tim Chrouser; grandchildren and great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews.

Forever joined in life and death, we will share remembrances of Tom at Mary Bloom’s Celebration of Life Saturday, December 27, 2025, from 11AM - 3 PM at the Rice Lake Moose Lodge #402. Interment will be held in the spring at Hillside cemetery in Center City, Minnesota.

Last Update: Dec 24, 2025 7:37 am CST