Reynolds Lloyd Tomter, age 108, of Pigeon Falls, WI, passed away on Sunday, November 2, 2025, in the Pigeon Falls Health Care Center.

Reynolds was born on April 26, 1917, on his home farm outside of Pigeon Falls to Otto Melvin and Hulda Josephine (Evenson) Tomter.  He worked with his father until age 22.

On May 27, 1939, Reynolds married Dorothea Elizabeth Hoff in Ettrick, WI.  They moved into town where he was a clerk at the general store.  On November 14, 1941, Reynolds and Dorothea welcomed their first child, a daughter, Julie Ann.

Reynolds entered the US military service on March 7, 1943.  He chose to join the Merchant Marines during WWII where he served on supply ships.  During his service, he completed several missions across the Atlantic, to the Mediterranean theater.  He was in Marseille, France, when the war ended.  He returned to the US and was discharged on August 15, 1945.

After the war, Reynolds returned to Pigeon Falls and resumed his job as a clerk.  In 1946, he and Dorothea welcomed their second child, a son, Reynolds (Bud) Otto.  In 1954, he purchased the Pigeon Store.  Seventeen years later, he sold the store and became a real estate broker, establishing Reynolds Realty.

Reynolds loved golfing, fishing, and spending winters with Dorothea in Clearwater, Florida.  He was known for his positive attitude, service to his community, active lifestyle, humor, and being a friend to all those he met.  His greatest joy in life was spending time with his family and friends.

During his lifetime, Reynolds received numerous awards and commendations for both his civic and military service.  The highlight came at the age of 105 on August 8, 2022, when he received the World War II Congressional Gold Medal presented to all Merchant Mariners.  As a proud Norwegian, he felt blessed to also receive  the Norwegian Liberation Medal.  He was especially honored by Old Glory Honor Flights and American Airlines to be included in a group of WWII veterans traveling to Normandy, France, for the 80th Anniversary of D-Day, in June 2024.

Reynolds is survived by his daughter Julie Warner of Pigeon Falls, son Bud (Ellen) Tomter of Watkinsville, GA, granddaughters Beth Warner, Madison, WI, and Jill (Dave) Kreiling, Kearney, MO, grandsons Blair (Brittany) Sullivan, Avondale Estates, GA, and Jordan (Christina) Tomter, Watkinsville, GA. He is also survived by great-grandchildren Andi and Cory Kreiling, Griffin and Smith Sullivan,  and John Tomter, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents,  his wife, Dorothea, who passed away in 1996, and son-in-law, David Warner. Also preceding him were eleven Hoff sisters-in-laws and brothers-in-laws. A Celebration of Life will be held at Peace Lutheran Church of Pigeon Falls on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at noon.  The service will be live streamed on Peace Lutheran's website (https://www.peacelutheranofpigeonfalls.org/LiveStream). Visitation will be held at the church Friday evening, April 24th from 4-6:30 and 10:00-12:00 prior to the service on Saturday.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to:

Peace Lutheran Church

Capital Improvement Fund

P. O. Box 250

Pigeon Falls, WI 54760

Old Glory Honor Flight

321 S. Nicolet Road

Suite A

Appleton, WI 54914

Pigeon Falls Lions Club

P. O. Box 464

Pigeon Falls, WI 54750