Thomas Roger Heistad

Thomas Roger Heistad, 77, of Mesa, Arizona, passed away September 7, 2018. He was reunited with his late wife, Janet, after a long struggle with health-related issues.

Born August 24, 1941, in Antigo, Wisconsin, Tom grew up with his parents Gertrude and Kermit Heistad and his siblings Torrey, Trina and Ellen in Milwaukee and Waterford Wisconsin. Tom was a graduate of Waterford High School, where he met the love of his life, Janet Datzer. They married on September 1, 1961.

Tom and Janet lived and worked in West Allis, Wisconsin, where they raised their three daughters. He was a proud 20-year member of the United States Army and National Guard. Later they retired in Mesa, Arizona, where they happily watched their two granddaughters, the apples of their eye, grow up.

Tom and Janet enjoyed traveling the United States and touring Arizona Indian reservations. They greatly appreciated the Native American culture. Tom also had a great fondness for motorcycle riding, John Wayne movies, and one-liner jokes.

Tom is survived by his daughters, Kelly Roberts, Holly Ann Heistad, and Heidi Heistad; two granddaughters, Sabrina Rene Roberts and Holly Nicole Roberts; and son-in-law Edward Roberts. Additional survivors include his brother, Torrey (Lee Ann) Heistad; and sisters Trina (Erich) Fohr, and Ellen (Edward) Hosafros; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.

His family will celebrate his life at a private memorial service on Saturday, September 15, 2018, at Horizon Funeral Care, 7510 E. Main Street, Mesa.

The family extends their gratitude to the many healthcare and assisted living professionals who provided care to Tom over the past year. He will be missed by everyone who loved and cared for him.