Thomas Edward Socha, 81, of Halstad, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 4, 2026 at his home with family by his side.
Tom was born on December 15, 1944, in Angelica Township, near Krakow, Wisconsin, the 5th of 10 children born to Casimir S. and Adeline R. (Skarzynski) Socha. His family meant everything to him. He had special memories of his childhood in rural Wisconsin with a large, close-knit family. Tom’s family extended farther when he married Joan Roessler in 1967. They moved to Lincoln, Nebraska in 1969 where they raised their four children. Tom and Joan established their home in Halstad in 1999, finally having the space needed to have an abundant garden and Tom’s Farmall 400 tractor. Annual visits to Halstad, including hayrides with the tractor, became a beloved family tradition for his children and grandchildren.
A dedicated scholar and leader in the field of Animal Science, Tom earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Wisconsin–River Falls, followed by a Doctorate from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in 1978. Tom began his career in swine genetics in 1974, working for SPF (Specific Pathogen Free) in Lincoln, NE. He spent his life dedicated to helping producers raise better hogs and promote whole hog health. Tom had global influence, sharing his knowledge with producers in Mexico, South America and China. He went back into his research roots briefly when he joined the Swine Extension at North Dakota State University, but industry changes led him to start his own business as a Swine Consultant until his retirement in 2018. He worked closely with swine breeding programs in China, where he helped establish breeding herds and mentored future leaders in swine research. This industry leadership was one of his proudest accomplishments, but mentorship of future leaders through his Advisory role at the AGR Fraternity Houses at NDSU and UNL was a lifelong passion.
Tom’s faith was a steady presence throughout his years. Tom was a proud member of the Knights of Columbus, which he first joined in 1964 in Hudson, Wisconsin, later continuing in Lincoln, Nebraska, and Halstad, Minnesota. He served as an acolyte at St. John the Apostle Church in Lincoln, NE and at Holy Family in Halstad, MN. Additionally, he was a member of the Lincoln Lions Club. He served proudly in the Wisconsin and Nebraska National Guard from 1966 to 1975, attaining the rank of First Lieutenant. Tom coached and sponsored the Nebraska SPF women’s fast-pitch team while in Lincoln, earning him the Nebraska Softball Association Hall of Honor award in 1996.
Tom had a gift for feeding body and soul alike. Friends and family will forever remember his “Loin of Paradise” recipe, the many whole roasted hogs that he delighted in cooking throughout his life, and the joy with which he gathered people around the table. That extended to include his softball family with annual pig roasts at his home in Lincoln over the years.
Tom is survived by his wife of 58 years, Joan Socha; children, Dawn (Steve) Schuette, Lemont, IL, Stephen (Jennifer) Socha, Lincoln, NE, Damian (Kristina) Socha, Casper, WY, and Shannon Socha, Lincoln, NE; 18 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-grandchild on the way.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Casimir and Adeline, brothers Sylvester, William and Bernard and sister Elizabeth. He is survived by sisters Rita, Mary, Agnes, Clara, and brother Jim.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations that will be shared with the Knights of Columbus Chapters and AGR Fraternity in Fargo that were so important to Tom.
Visitation: 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Friday, January 16, 2026 at Holy Family Catholic Church, Halstad, MN, with a prayer service and Rosary to begin at 6:30 PM.
Memorial Mass: 10:00 AM, Saturday, January 17, 2026 at Holy Family Catholic Church, Halstad, MN.
A Funeral Mass will take place at a later date at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church in Lincoln, NE, with interment and full military rites at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Lincoln.
Arrangements with Fredrikson-Ganje Funeral Homes
Ada & Halstad, Minnesota
