Thomas F. Zarling

Obituary of Reverend Thomas F. Zarling

On December 23, 2024, Thomas Fredrick Zarling of West Bend, WI, was called home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, at the age of 81. Tom was born on January 13, 1943, in McNary, Arizona, to the late Pastor Waldemar and Ruth (Zell) Zarling. As a child, he lived in various locations across the United States, including the White River Apache Reservation and Douglas, AZ, before moving to Waukesha and Newburg, WI. Tom later moved to Benton Harbor, MI, where he attended high school at Michigan Lutheran Seminary in Saginaw, MI. He graduated from Northwestern College in Watertown, WI, in 1965, before completing his pastoral training at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, WI, in 1969.

Tom married Mary Alice Mey of Newburg, WI, on August 25, 1968. They shared over 56 years of love and commitment. After graduating from seminary in 1969, Tom’s first call was to Lincoln Heights Lutheran Church in Des Moines, IA. In 1974, he moved to Brookings, SD, to serve as pastor at Our Savior Lutheran Church and campus pastor at South Dakota State University. In 1980, Tom transitioned to a role as Dean of Students at Doctor Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN, where he also coached football, taught religious classes, and served as campus pastor. In 1988, he returned to parish ministry, planting Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church in Sterling, VA, and supporting several other mission churches in the Mid-Atlantic region. Throughout his ministry, Pastor Zarling served in numerous leadership positions, including as First Vice President of the North Atlantic District, 2nd Vice President of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, and Chairman of the Synod's Board for Parish Services. After 44 years of faithful service, he retired in 2013 and moved to West Bend, WI, to be closer to family. During his retirement, he also assisted congregations in Arizona and California.

Tom and Mary dedicated much of their life together raising their four children and watching them grow in faith along with their spouses and grandchildren. Beyond his love of Jesus, his wife, family, and ministry, Tom appreciated anything involving a ball or competition: playing football, basketball, baseball, tennis, and racquetball in his younger years. He later became an avid golfer, and enjoyed hiking, walking, playing cards, bocce, and pickleball. He also admired traveling with the ZBros, cars, barbequing, coin collecting, and singing in the choir at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church and various committees at Cedar Community. Above all, Tom loved his Savior and cherished time spent with his wife, brothers, and their spouses, children, grandchildren, and extended family.

Tom is survived by his wife, Mary, his four brothers—Rev. Philip (Edna), Frederic (Ruby), Rev. John, and Rev. Mark (Colette)—and their families. He is also survived by his four children— Elisabeth (Pastor Erich) Schaser, Paul (Jessica) Zarling, David (Emily) Zarling, and Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan (Cindy) Zarling—and 22 grandchildren – Zachary (Brittany), Noah (Emma), Benjamin, Mia, Ezra, Samuel, Solomon (Cassidy), Savannah, Stella, Simeon, Selah, Saxon, Elijah, Ava, Lydia, Micah, Abigail, Naomi, Eve, Gideon, Esther, and Asher.

To God be the glory for Tom’s 81 years of life, grace, and service to the Lord.

VISITATION: Thomas's family will greet relatives and friends on Sunday, December 29, 2024, from 1:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m., at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 777 S. Indiana Avenue, West Bend.

MEMORIAL SERVICE: A Memorial Service for Thomas will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 29, 2024, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, with Reverend Clark Schultz and Reverend Darren Knoll officiating the service with Reverend Carl Otto.

A special thank you to the medical staff at Froedtert, Katie of Horizon Hospice for her tender loving care, and the staff, friends, and neighbors at Cedar Community.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be given to Martin Luther College Tuition Assistance or Cedar Community Partners in Caring.

Myrhum-Patten Funeral & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Thomas’s arrangements. Additional information and a tribute wall can be found at www.myrhum-patten.com.