Thomas was born the son of George and Bernice (Dolan) Vitzthum on October 6, 1919, in Wesley, Iowa. He passed on to an even better life on September 4, 2014, in Laurens, Iowa. He was educated at St. Joseph Catholic School, in Wesley, Iowa. For several years he worked on his father’s farm and for several other farmers in the Wesley community.
He entered into the Armed Forces in January 1943 and served in the South Pacific during WWII for three years. He was wounded in action and received the Purple Heart, while with the 89th Field Artillery, on Luzon Island. After returning home, brother Dennis and Tom moved to Laurens, Iowa, where they operated a Standard Oil service station.
In 1948, he was united in marriage to Agnes Devereaux at Sacred Heart Parish in Laurens, Iowa. There were five children born to this union. In 1951, Tom was employed by M & JR Hakes’ Wholesale Grocery Co. in Laurens, Iowa, retiring in 1977. He opened and operated a shoe repair business in his home from 1960 until 1990. Tom was a member of American Legion, VFW, and a long-time member of Sacred Heart Church in Laurens. Tom was known for his great sense of humor. When Tom was around, laughter could always be heard. He enjoyed playing cards, watching baseball, throwing horseshoes, gardening and generally just having a fun time. His greatest love was his family. Tom traveled all over the country to visit relatives.
Survivors include his wife of twenty years, Louise; his children: Mick and wife Joyce of Delight, Arkansas, Vicki Fontenot of Laurens, Iowa, Dan of Bella Vista, Arkansas, and Toni Stenshoel of Bradenton, Florida; his grandchildren: Jacob Fontenot, Dylan and wife Amber Fontenot, Andrew Vitzthum, and Amy Vitzthum; and his four great-grandchildren: Emma and Asher Cox and June and Caleb Fontenot. Also surviving Tom is sister Jan and husband Bill Ludwig of Corwith, Iowa, nieces, nephews and a host of friends.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Agnes in 1992, his son, Randall (Jake) in 1987, brothers Gaylen, George, Louis, Dennis, Mike and Jack; and sisters, Rita and Ruth.
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He entered into the Armed Forces in January 1943 and served in the South Pacific during WWII for three years. He was wounded in action and received the Purple Heart, while with the 89th Field Artillery, on Luzon Island. After returning home, brother Dennis and Tom moved to Laurens, Iowa, where they operated a Standard Oil service station.
In 1948, he was united in marriage to Agnes Devereaux at Sacred Heart Parish in Laurens, Iowa. There were five children born to this union. In 1951, Tom was employed by M & JR Hakes’ Wholesale Grocery Co. in Laurens, Iowa, retiring in 1977. He opened and operated a shoe repair business in his home from 1960 until 1990. Tom was a member of American Legion, VFW, and a long-time member of Sacred Heart Church in Laurens. Tom was known for his great sense of humor. When Tom was around, laughter could always be heard. He enjoyed playing cards, watching baseball, throwing horseshoes, gardening and generally just having a fun time. His greatest love was his family. Tom traveled all over the country to visit relatives.
Survivors include his wife of twenty years, Louise; his children: Mick and wife Joyce of Delight, Arkansas, Vicki Fontenot of Laurens, Iowa, Dan of Bella Vista, Arkansas, and Toni Stenshoel of Bradenton, Florida; his grandchildren: Jacob Fontenot, Dylan and wife Amber Fontenot, Andrew Vitzthum, and Amy Vitzthum; and his four great-grandchildren: Emma and Asher Cox and June and Caleb Fontenot. Also surviving Tom is sister Jan and husband Bill Ludwig of Corwith, Iowa, nieces, nephews and a host of friends.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Agnes in 1992, his son, Randall (Jake) in 1987, brothers Gaylen, George, Louis, Dennis, Mike and Jack; and sisters, Rita and Ruth.
(47336358)
Thomas was born the son of George and Bernice (Dolan) Vitzthum on October 6, 1919, in Wesley, Iowa. He passed on to an even better life on September 4, 2014, in Laurens, Iowa. He was educated at St. Joseph Catholic School, in Wesley, Iowa. For several years he worked on his father’s farm and for several other farmers in the Wesley community.
He entered into the Armed Forces in January 1943 and served in the South Pacific during WWII for three years. He was wounded in action and received the Purple Heart, while with the 89th Field Artillery, on Luzon Island. After returning home, brother Dennis and Tom moved to Laurens, Iowa, where they operated a Standard Oil service station.
In 1948, he was united in marriage to Agnes Devereaux at Sacred Heart Parish in Laurens, Iowa. There were five children born to this union. In 1951, Tom was employed by M & JR Hakes’ Wholesale Grocery Co. in Laurens, Iowa, retiring in 1977. He opened and operated a shoe repair business in his home from 1960 until 1990. Tom was a member of American Legion, VFW, and a long-time member of Sacred Heart Church in Laurens. Tom was known for his great sense of humor. When Tom was around, laughter could always be heard. He enjoyed playing cards, watching baseball, throwing horseshoes, gardening and generally just having a fun time. His greatest love was his family. Tom traveled all over the country to visit relatives.
Survivors include his wife of twenty years, Louise; his children: Mick and wife Joyce of Delight, Arkansas, Vicki Fontenot of Laurens, Iowa, Dan of Bella Vista, Arkansas, and Toni Stenshoel of Bradenton, Florida; his grandchildren: Jacob Fontenot, Dylan and wife Amber Fontenot, Andrew Vitzthum, and Amy Vitzthum; and his four great-grandchildren: Emma and Asher Cox and June and Caleb Fontenot. Also surviving Tom is sister Jan and husband Bill Ludwig of Corwith, Iowa, nieces, nephews and a host of friends.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Agnes in 1992, his son, Randall (Jake) in 1987, brothers Gaylen, George, Louis, Dennis, Mike and Jack; and sisters, Rita and Ruth.
(47336358)
He entered into the Armed Forces in January 1943 and served in the South Pacific during WWII for three years. He was wounded in action and received the Purple Heart, while with the 89th Field Artillery, on Luzon Island. After returning home, brother Dennis and Tom moved to Laurens, Iowa, where they operated a Standard Oil service station.
In 1948, he was united in marriage to Agnes Devereaux at Sacred Heart Parish in Laurens, Iowa. There were five children born to this union. In 1951, Tom was employed by M & JR Hakes’ Wholesale Grocery Co. in Laurens, Iowa, retiring in 1977. He opened and operated a shoe repair business in his home from 1960 until 1990. Tom was a member of American Legion, VFW, and a long-time member of Sacred Heart Church in Laurens. Tom was known for his great sense of humor. When Tom was around, laughter could always be heard. He enjoyed playing cards, watching baseball, throwing horseshoes, gardening and generally just having a fun time. His greatest love was his family. Tom traveled all over the country to visit relatives.
Survivors include his wife of twenty years, Louise; his children: Mick and wife Joyce of Delight, Arkansas, Vicki Fontenot of Laurens, Iowa, Dan of Bella Vista, Arkansas, and Toni Stenshoel of Bradenton, Florida; his grandchildren: Jacob Fontenot, Dylan and wife Amber Fontenot, Andrew Vitzthum, and Amy Vitzthum; and his four great-grandchildren: Emma and Asher Cox and June and Caleb Fontenot. Also surviving Tom is sister Jan and husband Bill Ludwig of Corwith, Iowa, nieces, nephews and a host of friends.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Agnes in 1992, his son, Randall (Jake) in 1987, brothers Gaylen, George, Louis, Dennis, Mike and Jack; and sisters, Rita and Ruth.
(47336358)
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