Fred Tomlinson

Benedict

Fred Tomlinson, 95, Benedict, ND, passed away Monday, October 20, 2025, at a Garrison, ND nursing home.

Fred James Tomlinson was born on May 29, 1930 to Roy and Mary (Spelevoy) Tomlinson in Minot, ND. He was raised and attended school in Benedict ND. He then worked for the railroad and Benedict Implement. Fred enlisted in the U.S. Air Force from 1951-1955, where he trained as a ground radio repairman. He often spoke of his experience while stationed in North Africa.

On September 8, 1957, he married LuAnn Lorenz in Benedict, ND at Concordia Lutheran Church. Fred and LuAnn made their home in Benedict, where they raised their four children.

Fred was a master mechanic/welder and member of the Operating Engineers Local 49 Union. This love for repairing things led to him opening Fred’s Repair in Max, ND. He also was a Polaris Snowmobile Dealer both selling and repairing sleds. It was during this time that Fred began drag racing in the Turtle Lake area. If he himself was not racing, he often sponsored others to race his famous 3-cylinder sled. He loved working with motors and using his mechanical skills to solve problems. He was the “go to guy” for his children. Dad was always the first stop, before discarding and replacing anything. Fred’s passion for wanting to repair or fix things on his own versus hiring someone is a trait that he definitely passed to Linda. Fred was also known as the guy to call, whenever an obsolete part was needed. He rarely threw anything away and his extensive knowledge often led to robbing an old snowmobile/combine/ tractor of a part that he knew would also work on other types of machinery. It wasn’t uncommon to find a snowmobile part serving double duty on a combine. If given enough time, his brilliant mind would think of a solution to the problem. His fix all knowledge is often reflected in Loretta as she is often referred to as the “jack of all trades” within the family. Fred was also known throughout the community as the one to call when someone needed help or something fixed and he was always willing to lend a helping hand.

After he “retired”, he began farming the Spelevoy farm until son Tim took over these responsibilities. He loved every aspect of farming from spring’s work to harvesting the last kernel. He was the anhydrous, water tank/spray hauler, truck driver, parts runner, second combine operator, on site repairman/welder, etc. Fred had to retire from these duties in early summer of 2025 when his health prevented him from doing these tasks that he loved. Over the years, through Fred’s guidance and teaching, Tim was able to learn many of the “tricks” and quick fixes that go along with being a farmer.

Fred enjoyed retirement as it allowed him to keep up with his grandchildren and their activities. Fred cherished these memories with his family. A typical trip to Minot usually resulted in stopping in Sawyer at all four of his children’s homes to visit and catch up a bit before heading back to Benedict. On these occasions, Laurie was always able to satisfy Fred’s sweet tooth with one of her famous desserts.

One of his favorite pastimes later in life was spending hours on his computer surfing the internet in search of “hard to find parts”, watching videos on YouTube to further expand his skills, or communicating with other mechanics across the country to answer questions he was curious about or needed to know.

Fred loved to visit over a cup of black coffee and was known to be the center of attention during church functions, local auctions, mornings at the elevator, family gatherings, or any event that allowed Fred time to visit/ share his knowledge, regardless if he had known the person for decades or had just met them.

Fred is survived by his wife LuAnn of over 68 years; daughters, Linda (Dennis) Killmer, Laurie (Kevin) Sickler, and Loretta (Ray) Esquibel; son, Tim (Maureen) Tomlinson; grandchildren, Rachel (Reggie) Schaan, Christian (Emily) Sickler, Aaron (Krystal) Esquibel, Austin Esquibel, Tyson Tomlinson, and Kaylee Tomlinson; great grandchildren, Rylan and Ramsey Schaan, Easton, Axton, and Anden Esquibel, Aydin and Madix Esquibel and baby Sickler arriving in April of 2026; brothers, John Tomlinson, Allen Tomlinson, Tom (Gwen) Tomlinson, Stanley (Violet) Tomlinson; sister, Kathy (Don) Turkowski; sister-in-law, Darlene Tomlinson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Fred is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, LeRoy Tomlinson, George Tomlinson, and Theodore Tomlinson; sister, Lena Diede; parents-in-law, Frank and Gerda Lorenz; sisters-in-law, Elsie Tomlinson, Kaye Tomlinson, Jan Tomlinson, and Jenny Lorenz; and brothers-in-law, Wayne Diede and Bruce Lorenz.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 15, 2025 at 11:00am Concordia Lutheran Church in Benedict with burial to follow at Concordia Lutheran Cemetery in Benedict. The service will be recorded for the public to view and can be accessed by going to the Thompson-Larson Funeral home website: www.thompsonlarson.com. Visitation will be held on Friday, November 14 from 4-6 p.m. with a prayer service at 6 p.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Fred’s honor to the Concordia Lutheran Church Cemetery Fund at Box 187 Benedict, ND 58716. Those wishing to sign the online register and share memories may access the online obituaries section at (www.thompsonlarson.com).

Published by The Minot Daily News, November 8, 2025.