Ringgenberg, Thomas Calvin 1938-2021

RINGGENBERG, HURLEY, GROSVENOR, BRITO, SHANAHAN, CARPENTER, REED, AIELLO, BROOKS

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 12/6/2021 at 18:53:57

Thomas C Ringgenberg
November 19, 1938 ~ December 01, 2021 (age 83)

Thomas Calvin Ringgenberg, 83, of Newton died on Wednesday, December 01, 2021, at MercyOne Newton Medical Center. No services are scheduled at this time. Memorials in Tom’s name may be left to the family to help local families in need (checks made to Joyce Ringgenberg).

Tom, the son of Jack and Arzetta (Hurley) Ringgenberg, was born on November 19, 1938, in Newton. He grew up in Newton and graduated from Newton High School in 1957. After high school he received an Accounting Degree from AIB and later a BA in Economics at William Penn College. On June 03, 1961, Tom was united in marriage to Joyce Grosvenor at Pleasant View church near Kellogg. Tom worked for the Maytag Company in their Corporate division for 32 years ,starting in Internal audit, retiring as the Vice President of Finance and Treasury in 1994. In 2000, Tom and Joyce moved to California and Tom worked in the Finance Department of Cyrsh Technologies for a short time. Upon returning to Newton, Tom enjoyed volunteering. He volunteered three days a week in the Office of Finance at Vennard Bible College in Oskaloosa and also as an RSVP volunteer, driving people to out of town doctor appointments.

Tom always enjoyed playing sports. He played football and basketball in high school and met his wife while playing on a Maytag softball team. Tom enjoyed playing handball at the YMCA. He was a member of the Maytag Management Club and was on the board for the Pregnancy Center of Central Iowa and the Newton YMCA. Throughout his lifetime he was on the board at CMA Church, taught Sunday school, was treasurer and a youth leader. He accepted Jesus at an interdenominational college, was baptized as a Methodist in a Baptist church by a Nazarene minister. He always said he was now ecumenical!

Tom is survived by his wife, Joyce Ringgenberg of Newton; son, Tim Ringgenberg and daughter-in-law, Marie Ringgenberg of Fountain Valley, California and their children, Tyler Ringgenberg and Andrea (Luis) Brito; son Seth (Linda) Ringgenberg of Kansas City, MO and their children, Michalea (Zach) Shanahan and Makenna Ringgenberg; his sister Linda Carpenter; cousin, Pat Reed; sister and brother-in-law, Judy and Frank Aiello; and his nieces and nephews. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, son Tony, sister Vonda Ringgenberg, aunt, Carvalee Brooks; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law Del and Helen Grosvenor.

Music was a huge part of Tom's life. He listened to it, sang along with it, and played the piano every morning. It was usually tunes from the 40's and 50's, but always asked Joyce if she wanted to hear Beethoven or Mozart for his morning concert!

He loved his kids and grands and his sense of humor was enjoyed by all and inherited by some. His life was a witness to them in kindness and morals. They never left the house without PaPa saying, "Be Careful"!

This poem personifies Toms life, author Terry Anderson. " Den Of Lions"

FAITH

Where is faith found?

Not in a book,

Or in a church,

Not often or for everyone.

In childish times it's easier;

A child believes just what it's told.

But children grow

And soon begin

To see too much

That doesn't match

The simple tales,

And not enough

Of what's behind

Their parents words.

There is no God,

The cynics say;

We made Him up

Out of our need

And fear of death.

And happily they offer up

There test- tube proofs.

A mystery.

The priests all say

And point to saints

Who prove their faith

and sacrifice

But what of us

Who are not saints,

Only common human sinners?

And what of those

Who in their need

And pain cry out

To God and go

On suffering?

I do not know-

I wish I did.

Sometimes I feel

All the worlds pain.

I only say

That once in my

Own need I felt

A light and warm

And loving touch

That eased my soul

And banished doubt

And let me go

On to the end.

It is not proof-

There can be none

FAITH'S what you find

When you're alone

And find you're not

We are so thankful and blessed by the love, care and concern shown to Tom by the paramedics, ER staff, doctors, and nurses here in Newton. They tried so hard to keep him on this earth, although God had planned this day for him and welcomed him home in a peaceful quiet transition. May God's richest blessings be on each and every one of them.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Thomas C Ringgenberg, please visit our floral store. ~ The Wallace Family Funeral Home, Newton, Iowa 01 Dec 2021.