About Dad

In 2002 Tom was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer.  He battled the disease for nearly 15 months, enduring surgery, chemotherapy and medication before passing away October 22, 2003.

Dad never wavered in his optimism, faith in God and love for his family and life.  Everyone who knew Dad knew the kind of person he was and what he believed in.  You know that he enjoyed life to the fullest and loved to laugh.

Dad grew up in Mason City, Iowa with seven brothers and sisters where strong family values, a great sense of humor and a love for sports and exercise were instilled by his parents.   Dad carried these values over not only to our family, but to everyone he touched through his years of teaching and coaching at Gehlen Catholic High School, and in the LeMars community.  He was always more concerned with our family, the Catholic schools and his faith, than achieving personal recognition or success.

Two things were constant with Dad—be happy and be healthy.   He was always active, playing basketball, biking, running or playing golf and always there was something fun and funny about it.   Dad touched so many peoples’ lives, from his childhood to his Grandpa years.  His ideals continue to guide us as we make our choices in life.  Team TOOT strives to pass on this greatest gift from him… to live happy, love unconditionally,  and do some good along the way.  We are all better people because of him.

Why the Name?

Dad always liked his acronyms and he would have thought it was funny.