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Thomas Richard Sandersfeld
THOMAS RICHARD SANDERSFELD
Iowa City
Thomas Richard Sandersfeld, 65, passed away at Mercy Hospice Care Center in Iowa City on Saturday, July 7, 2018.
A service of remembrance will be held
at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 14, at Congregational United Church of Christ, 30 N. Clinton St., Iowa City. The family will greet friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, July 13, at Lensing Funeral and Cremation Service, 605 Kirkwood Ave., Iowa City.
Tom, the second of three sons, was born to Waldemar and Helen (Beer) Sandersfeld of Homestead, on Aug. 9, 1952, in Cedar Rapids.
His marriage to Barbara Voogd (1981-1999) bore a daughter, Erin, and son, Tyler. Tom and Jerilyn McCarty married May 26, 2012. Through this union, Tom gained a stepdaughter, Courtney.
Tom was a member and deacon of Congregational United Church of Christ of Iowa City. He was a multi-talented problem solver, calling himself "a jack of all trades and a master of most." In 1981, Tom earned his AAS degree in water and environmental technology from Kirkwood Community College.
Many things brought joy to Tom's life, especially fishing, hunting and watching sports. He especially loved following Iowa City Regina football and was a loyal Cubs fan. Tom was a master gardener, an excellent cook, and for years he delighted Elkader's children as the jolliest Santa Claus.
A close friend described Tom as the "gentle giant" in town, and everyone who knew him liked him. Tom always had that smile on his face that said, "Today is good." He was the friend you always could depend on if you needed anything. "When I went trout fishing with him it was always an adventure because you could end up in wonderful places that you had never even known existed."
Tom, a registered donor with the Iowa Donor Network, enhanced the lives of many with his gifts of corneas, bone and tissue.
Tom is survived by his wife, Jerilyn; daughter, Erin (Matt) Nosbisch; son, Tyler Sandersfeld; stepdaughter, Courtney (Travis) Funke; grandchildren, Rainey and Trice Nosbisch and Logan and Ella Funke; nephew Justin Sandersfeld; niece, Shaelyn Sandersfeld; as well as several aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, John and Chuck; and stepson, Brendan Fisher.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Autism Society or the Brendan Fisher Memorial Football Camp Scholarship at Iowa City Regina.
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