Thomas M. "Tom" Tigges (1956-2006)

TIGGES, BETTCHER, WACHTER, NORLING, REICHMANN, SPRANK

Posted By: J. Nicks (email)
Date: 6/13/2006 at 12:33:26

Thomas M. "Tom" Tigges, 50, of 2115 Ogilby Road, formerly of 3561 Key Corners, died at 5:50 p.m. Sunday, June 11, 2006, at home, surrounded by his loving family, following a courageous battle with cancer.

Services will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main St., where friends may call after 3 p.m. Wednesday. Burial will be held at a later date in St. Catherine's Cemetery.

He was born on Jan. 9, 1956, in Dubuque, son of Eldon and Louise (Wachter) Tigges. He married Taa A. Bettcher on Oct. 7, 1977, in Dubuque.

He attended Holy Ghost Grade School and Hempstead High School, graduating in 1974. Tom then attended ABC Trade School in Tuscon, Ariz., to earn his welding degree. He returned to Dubuque and worked as a welder for a few years before applying to NICC to pursue a degree in account-ing. In 1996, he graduated from the University of Dubuque with his accounting degree and later earned his certified public accountants degree.

Mr. Tigges worked for Rite Hite in Dubuque for more than 10 years, as a shipping and receiving foreman and the Diamond Jo Casino while he was attending school. He continued working for the Diamond Jo, following graduation, as a dealer, until his health forced his retirement.

In his spare time, Tom enjoyed music and spending time with his family.

He was a loving husband, father, son, brother, in-law and uncle; he will be missed by all who knew him.

Surviving are his wife, Taa A. Tigges, of Dubuque; three daughters, Tamika (Randall) Norling, of Wonewoc, Wis., Kanyada (Mike) Reichmann, of Dubuque, and Naomi (Tim) Sprank, of Ames, Iowa; his father, Eldon Tigges, of St. Catherine, Iowa; and two brothers, Donald (Marie) Tigges, of Oklahoma, and Ronald (Mickey) Tigges, of St. Catherine.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents and his mother.

A Thomas M. Tigges Memorial Fund has been established.

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

We thank God for the time he gave us with Tom, and though we will miss him, he will always be in our hearts and in God's hands. "You finally hit your Royal Flush, and we know that you are playing your music for the Angels." The family also would like to thank Medical Associates Oncology and Dr. Kukla and their nurses and staff and Hospice of Dubuque for their care and concern for Tom and his family.