Thomas Paul Kaberline, 68, passed away on May 10, 2024.
He was born in Hoisington, Kansas on February 25, 1956. His family moved to Osage City, Kansas in 1960 where he grew up. Tom attended Osage City High School where he was an athlete – and played basketball and was pretty good at it too. He graduated from Osage City High School in May of 1974 and headed for Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas where he wanted to major in engineering. Tom took time off from his college education and chose a different path, working a variety of jobs until he found the military. Tom joined the military in 1986 while living in Topeka, Kansas. Tom was married to Jolynn Kramer in 1979 and they had a son T.J. Kaberline on July 23,1990. He became single again and accepted a position with the Montana National Guard in Helena Montana and moved from Topeka, Kansas to Helena. There is a family connection with his mother’s family in Montana and it provided him an opportunity to connect with his aunts, uncles, and cousins there. Tom enjoyed serving in the military and living in Montana. During that time, Tom married his third wife, Sharon Hamilton, in 1993. They built an amazing farm/ranch in Helena, Montana where they raised chickens, turkeys, sheep, horses, kitty cats, a few dogs, and they experimented with raising bees. Most memorable for Tom was his little black dog, Tazshe who unfortunately passed away in 2017 and Misfit, a special kitty he and Sharon had in the first years of their marriage. He found joy in a connection with all his pets.
Tom served in the military for 25 years and then spent 7 years as a contractor for the military working with JANSUS Research Group, Inc. During his time in the Military, Tom was stationed in Washington, D.C. where he visited his sister (Chris) in Virginia/North Carolina and explored Civil War historical sites in those states – more specifically Civil War (or as Southerners say, The War Between the States) and became enamored of the history. Tom enjoyed learning about history and one way of doing that was when Tom joined the 2nd Cavalry Unit in Helena. He participated in several reenactments and dressed for the events – he looked good in his uniform.
While working for the military and then contracting with JANUS Research Group, Inc., Tom travelled extensively. He drove across the country from Washington, D.C. to Helena, MT multiple times and it always gave him a chance to see this beautiful country. Because of his work, he visited most of the states in the U.S. and spent time in Puerto Rico and he was always amazed at the beauty of the places he visited (worked for the Military), and he would generally seek out a Catholic church or churches of significance. One of Tom’s favorite churches was the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. besides the Cathedral of St. Helena.
Tom returned to college to finish his education by attending Northern Montana State University in Havre, Montana where he would drive 3.5 hours many times a week/month and take courses while living in Helena and working for the National Guard. Wintertime could be a harrowing drive, but he accomplished his goal. He was dedicated to completing his education and he was successful in receiving his B.A. in Computer Information Systems in May 2003.
In his spare time, he enjoyed hobbies that included woodworking, CnC routers, reloading and SAS shooting. To those unfamiliar with what a CnC router is, it carves wood designs that can be used to make signs and other items. One amazing item Tom made with it was an elaborate cross. It is stunning to see.
Tom was a lifelong learner – he loved to learn and explore new ideas – he was an avid gardener and planted heirloom seeds to help with the diversity of vegetables that he and Sharon grew. He learned how to raise chickens from chicks, learned how to raise turkeys and ducks and sheep (although he really did not like sheep – they were mean he said). He and his wife Sharon worked hard on their ranch/farm. They experimented with raising Tilapia through hydroponics in their home. Tom was looking for alternative food sources to support his and his family’s health. They ended that experiment after a while and moved onto other homesteading ideas.
When he retired, Tom spent more time studying and practicing his Catholic faith which he loved.
Tom is preceded in death by his parents Peter James Kaberline (July 2010) and Maria Barbara Kaberline (October 1996) and his brother-in-law Michael V Lane (2013).
He is survived by his wife Sharon Kaberline; sisters Cindy Lane of Chanute, KS and Chris Kaberline of Duluth, MN; brother Jim Kaberline of Kansas City, KS; son T.J Kaberline of Kansas City, KS; nephews Brent Lane (Shanda) of Ottawa, KS, Aaron Lane (Stephanie) of Dearing, KS, and Devin Kaberline of Kansas City, KS and niece Janel Paxson (Heath) of Hoyt, KS.
A visitation will take place at 5pm on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N Montana Ave., Helena, MT 59602. Following the visitation, a rosary will be held at the funeral home starting at 6pm. Funeral mass will be held at 9am on Thursday, May 16, 2024 at Holy Cross Church, 449 N Hoback St, Helena, MT 59624. Burial will take place after the funeral mass to Resurrection Cemetery, 3685 N Montana Ave., Helena, MT 59602. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Tom’s favorite charity, the Helena Food Share, 1616 Lewis St, Helena, MT 59601. Condolences can also be shared in memory of Tom at www.aswfuneralhome.com
Donations to the Helena Food Share: or by clicking on the link to the website or by sending a check to:
Helena Food Share
PO Box 943
Helena, MT 59624
406-443-3663
Service Schedule
Visitation
5:00pm to 6:00pm
Wednesday May 15, 2024
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave
Helena, MT 59602
Rosary
6:00pm
Wednesday May 15, 2024
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave.
Helena, MT 59602
Burial
10:30am
Thursday May 16, 2024
Resurrection Cemetery
3685 N Montana Ave.
Helena, MT 59602
Service Schedule
Visitation
5:00pm to 6:00pm
Wednesday May 15, 2024
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave
Helena, MT 59602
Rosary
6:00pm
Wednesday May 15, 2024
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave.
Helena, MT 59602
Burial
10:30am
Thursday May 16, 2024
Resurrection Cemetery
3685 N Montana Ave.
Helena, MT 59602
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Tony Blanton says
Tom was a great mentor to me and everyone else he was around! He was a great Soldier that I was proud to have been able to serve with! RIP TPK!
Nancy Peters says
Tom was a great classmate all those years ago. I spoke to him 5 years ago and had hoped to see him again. My prayers are for his family. RIP my friend, I’ll see you again.
Doug Finstad says
Sharon and family, I am so sorry for your loss. He was a great mentor, technical expert, and friend. One of the best Warrant Officers I ever worked with. I really enjoyed working with him both in MT and at NGB.
Steven Nicholls says
Sharon and family so sorry for your loss. Tom was a great boss he taught me so much about logistics and was a great source of knowledge. He was one of the best Warrant Officers I worked with. RIP Tom!
Tina Whitaker says
Tom was a terrific Soldier and logistician. His steadfast nature was a blessing to all he worked with.
Wade Van Gilder says
RIP my friend and fellow Warrant Officer. Prayers coming for Sharon & family. Known them for many years.
James M. Kaberline says
Tom….when someone dies, you realize that you don’t have all of the time in the world. I wish we had talked more. You will be missed brother. See you on the other side, but give me 15 or so good years on this side first.