Thomas Soenen

January 21, 1954 ~ February 21, 2019
Thomas J. Soenen age 65 of New Hampton, IA, died Thursday, February 21, 2019, at MercyOne New Hampton Medical Center.
A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, February 27, 2019, at Holy Family Parish, New Hampton with Rev. Brian Dellaert celebrating the Mass. There will be a private family burial at a later date.
Friends may greet the family from 4:00-7:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 26, 2019, at the Gathering Space at Holy Family Parish with a 3:30 p.m. Rosary. Further visitation will be one hour prior to the service Wednesday at the church.
With his warm and welcoming personality, Tom Soenen was a blessing in the lives of those he met. Thomas Joseph Soenen was born January 21, 1954, in Marshall, MN to Jerry and Florence (Timmerman) Soenen. He joined two older brothers and was excited to later meet his younger brother and three sisters as the Soenen family grew.
Tom’s young years were spent on the Soenen farm outside Marshall and he always talked fondly of being a farmer. The Soenen family moved to Emmetsburg, IA when Tom was II years old and became involved in the Emmetsburg community as his parents operated the Soenen Oil Truck Stop for many years.
Upon graduating from E’Hawk town, Tom studied drafting at Western Iowa Tech in Sioux City which led to his first career job with Northern Natural Gas in Omaha, NE. From there he worked for Northern Natural Gas in Mason City, Iowa moving to New Hampton to work the next many years for Dome Pipeline.
Upon his retirement, Tom found employment as a spring/fall farm helper for New Hampton Farm Service, so Tom came full circle as a farmer.
In 1989, Tom and Susan (Sheldon) Zearing married and Tom became a father for Lucas and John, soon adopting both boys. Tom, Sue, and boys loved living on the acreage where Sue now continues to live. Tom could be seen doing many yard jobs with his John Deere lawn tractors and his workmanship proved the envy of many.
Besides a loving husband and parent, Tom has been involved with the New Hampton Jaycees, the New Hampton Lions Club, The Knights of Columbus, The New Hampton Fire Department (17 years), The Chickasaw Conservation Board, and the Chickasaw County Planning Commission.
Tom also enjoyed creating wood furniture, especially with red oak. Family members and friends have many mementos of Tom’s love for woodworking.
Tom truly loved being involved in the lives of his grandchildren: Cailin, Christian, Greyson, Levi, Lila, and Violet. He so enjoyed causing these children to laugh with him.
Tom had a special group of friends who gave him much enjoyment over his years in New Hampton. Some of these friends joined him on more than 30 years of fishing trips to Canada. After retiring, Tom was able to enjoy even more Canadian trips with many relatives.
Meeting new people and talking with them about their lives was a talent Tom much explored. He so thoroughly enjoyed a recent trip to Vietnam and Cambodia and had plans for even more adventures.
Tom’s family includes his wife Susan of New Hampton, IA, children Lucas Zearing of Hudson, IA and John (Katie) Soenen of Friendsville, PA, parents Jerry and Florence Soenen of Emmetsburg, IA, siblings Gregory (Elizabeth) Soenen of Goldfield, IA, Bob (Jane) Soenen of Emmetsburg, IA, Ken (Karen) Soenen of Rockwell City, IA, Marylee (Dave) Orr of Emmetsburg, IA, Annie (Gary) Vaske of Bancroft, IA, and Julie (Jim) Koeppel of Coralville, IA; sister-in-law Mary Wistrom (Ralph Battis) of McDonough, GA, Lynn (David) Sieving of St. Louis Park, MN, Patricia (Don) Strecker of Longmont, CO, and Vicky (John) Kline of Burnsville, MN; and many nieces and nephews.
Preceding Tom in death was his father-in-law Sumner Sheldon, mother-in-law Ruth Sheldon, brother-in-law Wayne Wistrom, and infant brother Steven Soenen.
Please note that Tom was an organ donor, with the Iowa Donor Network using his eyes, tissues, and skin.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the New Hampton Lions Club or Chickasaw County Conservation Board.
Sue and family I am so sorry for your loss. May God wrap his loving arms around you and give you comfort during this sad time of loss.
Very sorry to read this. Sympathy to all of you! Rest in Peace Tom!
Hi Sue, I am so sorry and in shock. I am praying for God’s love to help all the family at this time. May Tom rest in peace and I hope Jack is with him.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Soenen family.
Sorry to hear about Tom. He was a Great Man, enjoyed his work ethic and great humor. R.I.P. Tom.
Sue and Family,
We are very sorry for your loss. Our sympathy to all and prayers .
Sincerely,
Louise and Donn Harris
Tom was such a nice guy thru Catholic grade school and high school. My thoughts and sympathies are with you.
I worked with Tom at Dome Pipeline, he was one of the nicest, most kind man I ever worked with. When we were at the Electrical Maintenance school in Edmonton, Alberta, he was my partner in crime, those 9 weeks in at school in Canada was at best tolerable because of Tom. The world lost a true gentleman, he will be missed. Our sincere condolences to Tom’s family and friends.
Tom and Virginia (Boots) Jannings, Rathdrum, Idaho
Tom was a blessing to all of us at NHUMC where he would attend some Sunday’s with his wife Sue. Always kind & friendly with one of the warmest, sincere smiles as he greeted others. A great guy who had committed himself to his community & gave of his time to help others where & when he could. Rest in Heaven Tom, I will miss you. We had you for a while, God’s got you for eternity. Pastor Candie Carey
Our sympathies to you Sue and your family. We had lots of good Jaycees memories.
Soenen family- Deepest sympathy in sudden loss of Tom. Indeed life is way too short! May your loving memories always make you smile n remember his love for you all. Joel n Maureen ( Reeves) Horsley
To all of Tom’s family- you have my deepest sympathy. May your loving memories of Tom keep you comforted. My prayers go out to everyone. –Therese (Joynt) Trojahn
Tom will be missed by all that knew him. Always very kind and good conversation. May he Rest in Peace. Sympathy to you ALL.
Sue and boys you have our deepest sympathy.
Our sympathies to you Sue and family. As members of Alta Vista Jaycees at the time of Tom being with the NH Jaycees, we got to know him at various local & regional events when the chapters came together. Friendships developed and fond memories as well. We will always remember him as being a good, kindhearted man willing to serve others. May he rest in peace.
Tom was a Class of 72 classmate of ours. Always enjoyed catching up with him at past reunions. Our deepest sympathy to Tom’s family. God’s speed my friend.
Loren and Denise (Drew) Reit
I would just like to say that Tom and Sue are the biggest blessing in the lives of their grandchildren. They are the finest mentors and example of what the kindest loving people anyone could wish for their grandchildren. We will miss Tom dearly. His light will shine through the children he loved so much. Love, Terri Ostlund
Our sympathies to Sue and family. Always enjoyed the times when Tom and I had a visit.
Deepest sympathies to Sue and their Children and Grand children, we all will miss him. May he rest in peace. We all will miss him.
Tom was a classmate of mine in Emmetsburg. I remember him as a gentle, kind man. My most sincere condolences to his family. God’s blessings to you in this difficult time. Carol Tate Dupic