Thomas “Tom” Edward Walljasper

Thomas “Tom” Edward Walljasper

Coralville

Thomas “Tom” Edward Walljasper, 57, of Coralville, died on Sept. 3, 2023, at the Bird House – Hospice Home of Johnson County with family by his side. Tom fought valiantly against pancreatic cancer.

Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 14, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Iowa City, with the Very Rev. Rudolph Juarez officiating. Burial will be at 2 p.m. at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Davenport, Iowa. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14, at Lensing’s Oak Hill, Coralville, with remarks at 6:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed toward the Bird House – Hospice Home of Johnson County.

Tom was born on Sept. 6, 1965, in Davenport, Iowa, the son of Robert and Marguerite (Ryan) Walljasper. Under the scout leadership of his father, Tom attained the rank of Eagle Scout. He graduated from Bettendorf High School and continued his education at the University of Iowa where he graduated with a degree in Journalism. Tom was proud to be a Hawkeye and could often be heard as one of the loudest fans in the stands.

Tom started his career as an assistant editor at the West Liberty Index before he moved into Public Relations at McDonough District Hospital in Macomb, Ill. The last 23 years have been spent in Community Relations and Patient Engagement at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, where Tom was a great ambassador of the hospital to the community.

Tom knew the value of building relationships and treating others with respect and kindness. He thrived on human connections. He was a loyal and loving friend to many and held himself to the same high standards he had for others. This was especially true when it came to grammar.

Tom loved to spend time with family, especially his nephews Sam and Carson. He had a passion for traveling and traveled many times to Germany with his parents to visit relatives. He most recently returned to Germany in the summer of 2022.

Tom is survived by his siblings, Dave (Terri) Walljasper of Centerville, Iowa, Dan (Lori) Walljasper of Davenport, Iowa, and Mary (Tom) Handorf of Rhodes, Iowa; nephews, Carson Ducar, Sam Ducar, Max Handorf and Lincoln Handorf; and nieces, Becky McDonald, Amanda Walljasper and Kimberly Walljasper. Tom is also survived by numerous extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister-in-law, Teresa Walljasper.

Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.lensingfuneral.com.