Wehmeyer, Thomas Herman

Thomas Herman Wehmeyer, 87, of Cedar Rapids, a resident of The Gardens at Cottage Grove Place, entered into eternal life Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012. Funeral Mass: 10 a.m. Friday at All Saints Catholic Church. The Rev. Jack Flaherty will officiate. Burial, with military rites: St. John's Cemetery. Friends may call at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday and at the church after 9 a.m. Friday.

Tom was born Oct. 31, 1924, in Fort Madison, Iowa, to Harry and Rosina Wehmeyer. He graduated from Catholic Central High School in Fort Madison and the University of Iowa in Iowa City. He served in the Army during World War II and was among those who fought in the Battle of the Bulge. On Aug. 30, 1947, he was united in holy matrimony with his high school sweetheart, Virginia M. Rempe, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Fort Madison. The union was blessed with 56 years of special love and commitment that deepened with each year.

Tom and Virginia settled in Cedar Rapids and established Tom's Service Station early in their married life. After he sold the service station, he worked a short time at Amana Refrigeration. Then Tom joined LeFebure Corporation, where he worked until he retired as vice president of sales and service in 1988.

He was a member of All Saints Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, the Elks Club and the American Legion. During his retirement he spent many hours volunteering as an adviser for the SCORE program and helped at food shelters.

Tom enjoyed his family and friends. He loved his fishing trips to Canada and Minnesota with friends and looked forward to their annual fish stags to enjoy their catch. He also made trips with his son and grandchildren. He enjoyed the golf courses both near and far and annual trips south for the winter. His calendar was always filled with activities such as Hawkeye games, playing bridge, poker games, dinner and dancing or sometimes just watching a favorite John Wayne movie.

In addition to being a devoted husband, he was a dedicated and loving brother, dad, grandpa and uncle who gave unselfishly. He was a great role model and had endless energy for his interactions with friends and family. He will be greatly missed by all those whose lives he has touched. Memories with Tom will be treasured always.

Survivors include his son, Thomas J. Wehmeyer and wife Susan of Cedar Rapids; daughter, Connie Kay Jeske and husband Bob of Eldora; four grandchildren, Dan Wehmeyer, Robert, Julie and Richard Jeske; a sister, Martha Ann Cerny, Burbank, Calif.; and many special nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Virginia.

Instead of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.

Please leave a message or tribute to the Wehmeyer family on the Web page, www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.

Published Oct. 21, 2012 in The Gazette