Thomas A. Traska

Thomas “Tom” Traska was a devoted husband, father, grandpa, brother, and friend. He left this world peacefully after a long and courageous journey, at the age of 77.

Tom was born on August 10, 1949, in Wausau, Wisconsin, to Brigetta (Worden) and Arnold Traska. He graduated from DC Everest High School in 1967, beginning a lifetime marked by dedication, service, and hard work. He proudly served his country as an ASC Chief Petty Officer in the United States Navy from 1967 to 1981, with duty stations that included Florida, Iceland, Okinawa, and California. He also served and fought in the Vietnam War, a chapter of his life that reflected his courage, resilience, and unwavering commitment to his fellow service members.

In 1969, Tom met Joyce the love of his life on a Wednesday and proposed to her that Friday. They married soon after and spent 52 years building a life filled with devotion, family, and shared joy.

Tom carried a work ethic and generosity that touched everyone around him. His children remember running through the halls of Wausau Financial while he worked nights and weekends, eventually leaving the company as Vice President of Customer Service and Hardware Installations. He later held different jobs over the years before finishing his career at L&S Electric, retiring in 2014. Whether he was on the job or long after he’d left it, Tom found joy in giving homemade treats for coworkers, flowers for neighbors, lemonade and pudding for nursing home residents, Easter baskets for nurses, bingo money for seniors, donations for veterans, and thoughtful items for friends, residents, and staff whenever he saw a need. Kindness was simply part of who he was, and he shared it freely with anyone who crossed his path.

Tom also loved creating things that brought joy to others. He built hobby ships now displayed at the senior building and nursing home, and he planted flower and vegetable gardens for residents and visitors to enjoy. He made it a point to meet people, learn their names, remember them, and use them- an act that made strangers feel like friends.

Above all, Tom loved his family. He cherished lunches with his daughters, phone calls with his son, treasured time with his grandchildren, and carried Joyce’s memory with him always.

Tom is survived by his children Shannon (Carey) Traska, Heather (Matt) Sann, and Tina (Eric) Kollmansberger; his grandchildren Siira, Gabriel, Clark, Leif, Tom, Sam, Eri, Kayleigh, and Adrian; his siblings Betsy Trzebiatowski, Bob (Lois) Traska, Terry (Jill) Traska, and Kermit (Beth) Traska; and his brother‑in‑law George Powell.

He is preceded in death by his parents Brigetta and Arnold Traska; his loving wife Joyce (Streeter) Traska; his siblings Charlie Traska and Shirley Powell; and in‑laws Dave Trzebiatowski and Bonnie Traska.

The family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to the staff of Mount View Nursing Care and Aspirus Hospice for the extraordinary compassion, dignity, and devotion they showed Tom throughout his years and final weeks. Their kindness, patience, and genuine love made an immeasurable difference in his life and in ours. We will forever be grateful for the comfort, friendship, and care they provided him every single day.

A Memorial Service for Tom will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 6205 Alderson St., Weston. Deacon Ray Slatton will officiate. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until the time of service at the church. Interment will take place at Restlawn Memorial Park. 

Ascend Funeral Home & Cremation Care of Weston is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be shared at www.ascendweston.org.