Thomas Wenger

THOMAS WENGER

Wilton

Thomas "Tom" Allen Wenger, 63, of Wilton, passed away Feb. 13, 2017, at the Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha after a long and valiant battle with cancer.

Cremation rites have been facilitated by the FCS Life Transition and Cremation Center located within Muscatine Memorial Park Cemetery. Funeral services were Saturday, Feb. 18, at Wittich-Lewis Home for Funeral and Cremation Services in Muscatine, with Pastor Luke McCoy of Antioch Christian Church, Cedar Rapids, officiating. Private burial was in the family plot at North Hill Cemetery, Wayland, among six generations of relatives. Visitation was Feb. 17 at the funeral home.

Tom was born in Muscatine, Iowa, to Thomas Dean and Margaret Ann (Wolters) Wenger on Jan. 9, 1954. He graduated from Muscatine High School in 1972 and in 1999 was inducted into the MHS Hall of Fame for accomplishments in swimming. He studied engineering at University of Missouri-Rolla and the University of Iowa. In 1976, he married his wife of seven years, Julie (Ryan) Walwer of Clinton, and their son, Jason Christopher Wenger, was born in 1979. Tom worked as a millwright for North Star Steel of Wilton for 10 years and Alcoa Bettendorf Works for 24 years.

Tom continued to swim competitively through college and his adult life. He participated in team Triathlon events, winning two years running. On Aug. 5, 1988, Tom swam the English Channel, crossing from England to France in 10 hours and 20 minutes. He also competed in trapshooting, achieving the maximum possible handicap of 27 yards. He enjoyed sailing, fishing, competing in iRacing, spectating every form of motorsport, hockey and baseball, and lemon meringue pie.

In retirement, Tom rode his Harley-Davidson to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally several years. He traveled to Belgium and Bahrain to watch World Endurance Championship auto races, and enjoyed working on a 1976 Plymouth Duster project car. He invested his time loving on his grandkids and teaching them about hockey and baseball. He also enjoyed spending time with his many wonderful friends.

Tom is survived by his mother, Margaret Wenger of Muscatine; his sister, Karen (Jim) Macon of West Des Moines; his sister, Susan (Steve) Roelle of Muscatine; his brother, Jeff Wenger of Iowa; and his son, Jason (Tori) Wenger, and grandchildren, Donavin, Lauren and Elias Wenger, all of Cedar Rapids.

He was preceded in death by his father, Thomas Dean Wenger; granddaughter, Amelia Grace Wenger; and beloved cats, Boscoe and Lucille.

We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the doctors, nurses and staff at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics for the care they gave Tom and for giving us so much time with him.

Online condolences may be left at http://lewisfuneralhomes.com.