GIMER, Thomas Woodrow 1918-2005

GIMER, FOUTS, KLEIN

Posted By: Jeffrey R. Phillips (email)
Date: 2/3/2005 at 18:19:06

Thomas Gimer

March 16, 1918-January 26, 2005

RENWICK—Thomas Woodrow Gimer, 86, of Renwick died Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2005, at the Marshalltown Medical and Surgical Center. Funeral services were Saturday, Jan. 29, at the United Methodist Church in Renwick with David Anderson officiating. Interment was in the Vernon Township Cemetery, rural Hardy.

Tom was born March 16, 1918, in Klemme, the son of Arthur D. and Emaline Fouts Gimer. He received his early education in Klemme. When he was 13, Tom moved with his family to Renwick, and graduated from the Renwick School in 1935. Tom then attended Iowa State College in Ames for a time. Tom was married to Marie Klein on Oct. 8, 1939, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. The couple lived in Renwick. Tom served his country during World War II in the U.S. Navy. After his service, Tom returned to Renwick, where he worked with his father in the Renwick Creamery. Tom and his brother, Harl, purchased the business in 1947. They made butter and cheese and they also bottled milk. In 1953, the business went strictly to making cheese. Tom retired in 1984. Tom was a member of the United Methodist Church in Renwick. He was also a 50-year Mason and belonged to Viona Lodge No. 568 A.F. & A.M. in Renwick. He was also a member of Harvey-McPeak American Legion Post No. 289 and the Izaak Walton League, both of Renwick. When his children were growing up, Tom was a Boy Scout Leader. As a businessman in Renwick, Tom was involved in various organizations, including the Commercial Club, that promoted the town. He was also active in the senior citizens.

Tom is survived by his wife, Marie of Renwick; his children, Richard Gimer of Potomac, Md., Virginia Bolte and husband, Fred of Ankeny, Paul Gimer of Los Osos, Calif., and David Gimer and wife, Kathryn of Iowa Falls; nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Tom was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter-in-law, Millicent Gimer; his granddaughter, Lori Ann Bolte Muehlenthaler; one brother, Harl Gimer; and three sisters, Bernice Johnson Bell, Blanche Gibbs and Thelma McCurry.

Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf Funeral Home of Renwick was in charge of the arrangements.