WAUKESHA 

Thomas A. ‘Tom’ Kaja 

Oct. 4, 1938 – Jan. 3, 2013


Thomas A. “Tom” Kaja of Waukesha passed away peacefully Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013, at Seasons Hospice at the age of 74. He was born Oct. 4, 1938, in Milwaukee, the son of the late Arthur and Josephine.

Tom married the love of his life, Mary Ann Hren, on June 24, 1961. He was a member of St. William Catholic Church. He retired as a senior design systems engineer from Caterpillar Inc. after 40 years. Most of all, Tom loved spending time with his family.

Tom will be sadly missed by his wife, Mary Ann, of 51 years; his children, Timothy (Annette) Kaja of Pewaukee, Cheryl (Jeff) Warner of Wauwatosa and Jennifer (Matt) Coddington of Lafayette, Ind.; grandchildren, Adam, Alex, Bryant, Emma, Rebecca, Mackenzie and Jason; brothers, Arnold (Arlene) Kaja of Coco, Fla., Lawrence (Kathy) Kaja of Tucson, Ariz., and David (Karen) Kaja of Coppercropolis, Calif.; and sister, Marianne (James) Herriges of Milwaukee. He is further survived by his nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends and four-legged pal, Harley.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Emil and Josephine Kaja; sister, Ruth Carlson; and brother, James Kaja.

Visitation for Tom will be held from 9 a.m. until the 10:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, Jan. 5, at St. William Catholic Church, 440 N. Moreland Blvd., Waukesha. The Rev. Curt Frederick will be officiating. Private burial will be at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.

Cesarz, Charapata & Zinnecker Funeral Home, Cremation and Pre-Planning Services is serving the family. For online obituary or to leave a condolence, please visit www.WaukeshasFuneralHome.com,  or call 542-6609.