Tom was born April 24, 1961, at Princeton, MN, to Harlan and Muriel (Walters) Wilts. He attended Big Lake, MN, schools and graduated from high school in 1979.

Tom worked a few odd jobs out of high school before earning his EMT Certificate. He started his law enforcement career at Sherburne County as a Jail dispatcher. Tom then went to Moody County and earned his LE License. Tom also worked for the Moody County Sheriff's office and the Brookings County Sheriff's office in South Dakota as well as the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation.

He graduated from many law enforcement specialty schools through his lengthy career. Tom started working for the Meade County Sheriff's office in 1990 and retired as Chief Deputy in 2015.

Tom loved the outdoors. He was a hunter and enjoyed guiding with his partners in the world famous Turkey Track Club. He also guided elk hunters in the mountains of New Mexico and the Black Hills. He enjoyed hunting coyotes on the plains and fishing in the lakes. Tom especially loved his family, friends, and his grandkids.

Thomas Dean "Tom" Wilts, 55, Sturgis, died Wednesday, April 19, 2017, at his home in Sturgis following a long fight with cancer. Tom won!

Survivors include his partner, Sue King; brothers, Robert (Judy) Wilts and William Wilts; grandchildren, Mary, Rex and Griffin, Kreeden, Skylee, Kyan, Ashlyn, Kinley, and Kantler; niece and nephew, Jamie Wilts, Michael Wilts, four aunts; two uncles; step children, Jamison (Mark) Bahle, Blake Rave, Kory (Kim) Longley, Kelly (Amos) Blomquist, and Katie Jo (John) Ott.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be Friday, April 28, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, April 29, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. at the Sturgis Brown High School West Gymnasium with Chaplain Randy Bradley officiating.

In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established to Meade County Graduating Senior to fund a Law Enforcement Scholarship.

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