Obituaries

Thomas Joseph Veum, age 88, of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, died on February 16, 2026, in St. Ignace, Michigan. He was born on October 27, 1937, in Detroit, Michigan, to Burney and Ruth (Brookbank) Veum.

At the age of five, Thomas’s family moved to Sault Ste. Marie, where he attended and graduated from the Loretto Catholic Central High School with the class of 1955. He attended Western Michigan University for his undergraduate degree and while there earned his private pilot’s license. He obtained his Juris Doctorate degree from Wayne State University Law School in 1965. After law school, Thomas joined the Airforce Reserve, serving our country for four years as a Judge Advocate Officer for the reserves. He returned home in 1966, joining his father, Burney, in the practice of law. Together, they established the law firm known as Veum & Veum. Thomas married his college sweetheart, Patricia Rust, and together they raised three children. He practiced law for over sixty years, in Sault Ste. Marie.

Thomas was a member of several organizations in his community. He was on the Sanderson Airport Board of Directors, the Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours Board of Directors, a member of the Neomekong Hunting Club, an original member of the EDC of Sault Ste. Marie, and a member of the Sault Savings Bank board of directors.

Thomas enjoyed boating and watching the shipping traffic from his home in Brimley. He also had a deep love for aviation and found great pleasure in flying his own plane to various destinations for both business and personal trips. He cherished vacations with his children and grandchildren in Boca Grande and St. Petersburg, Florida. An avid reader, Thomas often read multiple newspapers each day. He enjoyed watching sports, including football, basketball, and hockey, and was a fan of the Detroit Red Wings and the Detroit Lions.

Thomas is survived by his children, Michael Veum (Angie MacArthur) of Brimley, Tammy Rutledge (Steve Trudeau) of Sault Ste. Marie, and Todd (Shannon) Veum of Sault Ste. Marie; and grandchildren, Madeleine Rutledge, Parker Rutledge, Taylor Veum, and Austin Veum.

Thomas was preceded in death by his parents, Burney and Ruth; and daughter-in-law, Jennifer Veum.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, from 12:00 Noon to 2:00 PM at Family Life Funeral Homes, 4951 M-129, Sault Ste. Marie, MI, 49783. The Funeral Service will follow at 2:00 PM.

Thomas’s final resting place will be at Oaklawn Chapel Gardens in Bruce Township.

Memorial Contributions in Thomas’s honor, may be sent to St. Mary’s Catholic School, 360 Maple St, Sault Ste. Marie, MI, 49783 or The Hospice of the EUP, 308 W 12th Ave, Sault Ste. Marie, MI, 49783.

Condolences may be given to the family at www.familylifefh.com.