Thomas A. Silletto

Dr. Thomas Allen Silletto, 94, of Lincoln, NE, passed away peacefully on October 25, 2025. Born on December 12, 1930 on a farm near Des Moines, IA, to Arch E. Silletto and Anna E. Hartmann, Tom lived a life marked by dedication to education and service to others.

He built a distinguished career in agricultural education. After receiving his bachelor’s degree at Iowa State University, he taught high school agriculture courses in Milford, IA, and served as the FFA advisor. He then completed his Master’s and Ph.D degrees and joined the faculty at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA. He served as an Associate Professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln until his retirement in 1992. His contributions to agricultural education helped shape best practices for laboratory instruction and safety protocols that benefited teachers and students throughout Nebraska and beyond.

Tom was a man of faith and service. As a young man, he served his country in the National Guard for many years and served as a lay pastor in the Methodist Church prior to entering college.

Tom was an active member of St. Paul United Methodist Church in Lincoln and sang in the choir. His philanthropic spirit was evident in his involvement with Kiwanis and volunteer work with Heifer International. He particularly enjoyed participating in the Nebraska NUMB and BRAN bike rides, combining his love of cycling with his passion for helping others by raising money to end hunger.

His hands were rarely idle—whether tending his garden, crafting woodworking projects, building intricate garden train layouts, or writing poetry. He enjoyed oil painting, capturing scenes of nature on canvas. There was nothing he couldn’t build or fix, and his strong will and tenacity served him well in accomplishing whatever he set out to do.

Tom was grateful to be twice blessed in marriage. His beloved first wife, Eva Jackson Silletto, passed away in 1984. He credited her with helping him through college, raising their three children, and achieving his dream of becoming an educator. His second wife, L. Rogene Wunderlich Hesseltine Silletto, who he married in 1988, passed away in December 2024. In Rogene, Tom found a cherished companion with whom to travel, enjoy nature, support social causes, enjoy home projects, and much more.

Tom was also preceded in death by his parents, six of his eight siblings, and one great-grandchild.

He is survived by his three daughters: Kathy Kuntz (Tom), Jerri Baumeister (Randy), and Cindy Silletto (Dwight) and step-children Lee Hesseltine (Barb), Karl Hesseltine (Melinda), and Karen Jabens (Jon). He is also survived by grandchildren Kariann, Karl, Kristen, Kay, and Katie Kuntz; Adam Baumeister (Kelly); Christi Kampen (Josh); Taylor (Jordan), Mitchell, Cameron, and Ellery Hesseltine; and Charlie, Katherine, Connor, and Alexandra Jabens. He will also be remembered by eight great-grandchildren, siblings Sharon (Jerry) Rote and Gary Silletto, brother-in-law Keith Wunderlich, and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Tom's memory may make memorial contributions to St. Paul United Methodist Church in Lincoln, NE.

Graveside Service will be at Highland Township Cemetery in Bayard, IA on Friday, November 7, 2025 at 1:00 pm.

A Celebration of Life service will be held in Lincoln, NE at a later date.