Thomas Lee DeBerg

Thomas (Tom) Lee DeBerg, 72, passed away at Monument Health in Rapid City, SD from congestive heart failure on April 26, 2026. At the time of his passing, his wife Penny, daughter Chelsey, and son Matt, were by his side. His daughter Tessa, was there in spirit and was able to speak with him on the phone prior to his passing. Tom was born on November 6, 1953 in Watertown, SD to Paul and Joy DeBerg. Tom was the oldest of 6 children and grew up on the family farm. After graduating from Watertown High School, Tom was enlisted into the United States Airforce until he was honorably discharged. After returning home, Tom got married to Irene and had twchildren—a son, Matt, and a daughter, Tessa—before eventually getting divorced. Tom worked as an over-the-road truck driver until eventually moving to Gillette, WY with his brother, Jack DeBerg. Tom and Jack went into business together and owned Hillcrest Auto body. One fateful day, Tom attended a friend’s pig roast, where he met Penny Nelson (Camblin). Tom and Penny were married in 1992 and welcomed their daughter Chelsey into the world in 1993. In 1999, Tom sold his portion of Hillcrest Auto body and purchased TLC Liquors with his wife, Penny. Tom and Penny owned and operated the liquor store successfully for 24 years before finally retiring in 2023.Tom was probably most well-known for his love of walleye fishing. Most summers were spent traveling to different walleye tournaments or practicing fishing for tournaments. However, Tom didn’t only enjoy fishing, but hunting as well, often traveling both to the Tetons in Jackson, WY or the Black Hills in SD in search of an elk. Tom was known as a huge NASCAR fan, specifically of Jeff Gordon, and attended multiple races throughout his life with his wife and friends. Tom passed on this passion to his daughter, Chelsey, who chose to attend the NASCAR race with her dad in Vegas for her 21st birthday. He had a love for playing poker, smoking cigars, Busch Light, and winning trophies in car shows with his bright green 1970 Dodge Super Bee. Near the time of his passing, Tom expressed to his family that he wanted to be cremated and have his ashes spread in the Black Hills, where he used to hunt. He asked that the ashes of his beloved Yorkie, Tuffy, who passed away a couple years earlier, be spread with him as well. Tom is survived by his wife Penny; son Matt (Elizabeth) DeBerg and their children Harley, Wesley and George; daughter Tessa (Andy) Schultz and their children Olivia and Holden; daughter Chelsey Stolley and her son Ezra; his siblings Jack, Sandy, Julie, and Sue. Tom was preceded in death by both of his parents and infant brother, Roger DeBerg. A Celebration of Life will be held on May 30, 2026 at close family friend Rod Wagner’s shop, located at 301 North Works Ave. The celebration will start at 2 pm. Please feel welcome to stop by anytime to share stories and memories, along with food and drinks.