Thomas Dale Tolsdorf, age 76, passed away February 14, 2022, at Banner Del Webb Hospital in Sun City West, AZ, surrounded by his family.
A Celebration of Tom’s life in conjunction with a Celebration of his sister’s life (Judy Bappe) will be held Saturday, June 4, at the Scranton Community Center in Scranton with Chaplain Angelo Luis officiating.
Tom was born October 3, 1945, in the Greene County Hospital in Jefferson to Edward and Doris Augustus Tolsdorf. He started school at Willow #5, a one-room country school. After kindergarten and first grade, the country schools became consolidated with the Scranton school system where he graduated in 1963. After high school he attended Iowa State University, Boone Junior college, and graduated in Business Education from The University of South Dakota in 1971.
Tom had a taste of several occupations until he became a certified public accountant and joined the Des Moines firm of McGladrey, Hanson, and Dunn in 1977. He retired as a partner from the Springfield, IL, office in 2002. McGladrey went through many name changes as it grew through mergers and acquisitions until it became the international firm of RSM.
Directly out of college, Tom taught high school business in Webster City for one semester replacing a teacher who was drafted mid-term for the Viet Nam war. He then joined the Omaha, NE, branch of the Alcohol. Tobacco, and Firearms division of the federal government. At the time, ATF was part of the Internal Revenue Service. In 1972, he transferred to the audit division. This prepared him to study and obtain his CPA certificate which was his final occupation until retirement.
Tom was active in the Iowa National Guard for 12 years. He attended Iowa Military Academy where he earned the rank of Second Lieutenant and was named the honor graduate of his class. In 1973, as a Captain, he attended the U.S. Army Helicopter School at Fort Rucker, AL, where he received his flight wings on June 4, 1974. He loved his time in the cockpit.
Tom married Margaret (Margie) Wright on November 26, 1966, in Scranton. They were high school sweethearts and attended school together since second grade. They were blessed with two children, Kelley and Scott. Tom and Margie had many travel adventures around the world in many different countries. They had just returned in October 2021 from Greece. They wintered for five years on Maui and decided to become Arizona snowbirds in 2014. Tom was a very active, full of life individual who loved his wife and family first and deeply. His secondary love was golf. Five to six days per week playing golf was an ordinary schedule for Tom. He was happy and outgoing plus always made his presence known.
Tom is survived by his wife Margie, of Scranton; his children Kelley (Marc) Grossman of Eureka, MO, and Scott (Kathy) Tolsdorf of Springfield, IL; his beloved grandchildren Rachel Grossman, Becca Grossman, Sarah Grossman, Molly Tolsdorf, and Jake Tolsdorf; sisters Judy (Larry) Bappe of Bella Vista, AR, Jane (Richard) Gallentine of Conrad, and Sharon (Ed Sugrue) Tolsdorf of Brewster, MA; many nieces, nephews, cousins and numerous friends.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents Edward and Doris Tolsdorf; his brother Jim Tolsdorf and sister-in-law Ann Tolsdorf; grandparents including his maternal grandfather of 100 years; his parents-in-law; several cousins; and a niece.
In lieu of flowers, Tom’s family suggests donations be made to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, St. Jude’s Research, or Wounded Warrior Project.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Scranton, 712-792-3561.
