Thomas 'Tom' William Auterman

THOMAS "TOM" WILLIAM AUTERMAN

Fairfax

Thomas "Tom" William Auterman, 83, of Fairfax, died Friday, Dec. 25, 2020, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf House of Mercy after a long and courageous battle with lung cancer. Private services will be held. Burial: St. Joseph Cemetery. A vigil service will be held at 3 p.m. Monday, at Teahen Funeral Home, where friends may visit with the family Monday from 3 to 6 p.m. All in attendance are required to wear a mask and respect social distancing guidelines.

Tom is survived by his wife of 53 years, Joan; a brother, Philip (Brenda Meyer) Auterman of Iowa City; two sisters, Mary Auterman of Sioux Falls, S.D., and Sister Cecelia Marie Auterman of Dubuque; a sister-in-law, Cecelia Matthiessen of Omaha, Neb.; and nieces and nephews, Charlie and Amy Smith, Matt and Annette Smith, Cathy Smith, Brian and Mary Matthiessen, Cindy and Brian Rohnke, and Joe and Ann Auterman.

Tom was preceded in death by his brother and sister-in-law, Paul and Janet Auterman; and in-laws, Charles and Jane Smith, and Ronald Matthiessen.

Tom was born April 4, 1937, in St. Olaf, the son of George and Leona McGill Auterman. He graduated from Luana High School. He married Joan Smith on June 17, 1967, in Epworth. Tom was employed by F.W. Mack Truck Dealership in Cedar Rapids for 15 years, and then served as an agent for Farmers Insurance Co. from 1984 to 2010. Tom was a member of St. Jude Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus Council 5544 and the Sampson Assembly of the 4th Degree Knights, where he had served as Grand Knight and Faithful Navigator. Tom served for more than 30 years on the Discovery Living Board of Directors. He was a member of the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA), the Model A Club, the Model T Club, the Vintage Chevy Club and the Cedar Rapids Association of Life Underwriters.

Tom loved spending time with his family. He enjoyed fixing up old cars, painting oil landscapes, traveling, camping and wintering in Mesa, Ariz., where he and Joan played lots of dominos. Tom was an avid volunteer who loved to help anyone in need.

The family would like to extend its deepest appreciation to Hospice of Mercy for their loving and compassionate care of Tom and the family.

Instead of flowers, memorials may be directed to Discovery Living or St. Jude Church.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.teahenfuneralhome.com.