Thoms, Robert ("Bob") Dean (1933 – 2024)

THOMS, MESSERSCHMIDT, SHREEVES, ZELENDA, ROBINSON, CASEY, FELL, STENDER, KROHN, GREEN, DOBERNECKER, ANDERSEN

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 7/15/2024 at 19:37:30

Name of deceased: Robert (“Bob”) Dean Thoms

Aged: 91 yrs, 2 mo, 23 days

Residence: Omaha, NE

Born: March 22, 1933; Avoca, Pottawattamie County, IA

Died: June 14, 2024; Astoria Senior Living, Omaha, Douglas County, NE

Funeral services: Thursday, June 20, 2024, at the United Lutheran Church in Shelby, IA; burial with military honors followed in the Shelby Cemetery, Shelby, IA

Survived by: Wife of over 56 years, Catherine Thoms of Omaha, NE, and formerly of Shelby, IA; sons, Chrisitan "Chris" (spouse, Dee) Thoms of Woodbine, IA and Dana (spouse, Shirley) Messerschmidt of Blair, NE; daughter, Tracy (spouse, Jeff) Shreeves of Underwood, IA; grandchildren, Keith (spouse, Holly) Messerschmidt of Shawnee, KS, Kelly (spouse, Jon) Zelenda of Omaha, NE, Emily (spouse, Tyler) Robinson of Oceanside, CA, Kurtis Shreeves of Underwood, IA, Tyler Messerschmidt of Stockholm, Sweden; great-grandchildren, Charlotte, Roark, Brody, Ellis, Abigail, Meier and Jake; special niece, Sally Casey; special nephew, Gary Fell; other family members and friends

Predeceased by: Parents, Otto Christian Thoms and Emma Marie Stender; sisters, Sylvia Fell and Goldie Krohn; brother, Otto Thoms Jr.; nephew, Lindy Krohn; nieces: Janie Green and Janet Dobernecker; brothers-in-law: George Fell, Clarence Krohn, Irwin Andersen and David Andersen

Education: Attended and graduated from Avoca (IA) High School, Class of 1952

Religious affiliation: Baptized and later confirmed his faith at the Lutheran Church in Avoca, IA; after his marriage, he was deeply involved in the Shelby (IA) Lutheran Church, where he served on the council and trust fund board

Military service: Enlisted in the U. S. Army, serving from 1953 until 1955, spending his time in Germany.

Marriage: Catherine (nee Andersen) Messerschmidt; Jan. 14, 1968; location not provided

Employment: Began his career at Iowa State Telephone in Avoca, IA; except for a two-year break while he was in the service, he continued to work as an installer repairman until he retirement after 40 years, on Jan. 1, 1993

Hobbies/Interests: Member, American Legion Post 227 and VFW Post 941; devoted more than 30 years to the Shelby County Conservation Board, served for 44 years on the Shelby Volunteer Fire Department, and took on roles in the Shelby City Council, along with a term as mayor. His initiatives such as starting the Pickin and Grinnin Jam sessions brought joy to the community. Was named the World's Champion Goose Caller in 1976; enjoyed bowling, golfing, fishing, woodcarving, feeding his Purple Martins and other birds, taxidermy, building and flying remote controlled model airplanes and flying drones.

Sources: heartlandfunerals.com