Robert Jon TOMSON

TOMSON, DORENKAMP, WHITE, HRUSKA, GEERY, HOLLINRAKE, CLARKE

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 7/6/2007 at 11:29:49

BELMOND - Robert John Tomson, 79, of Belmond, died Tuesday (April 17, 2001) at the Belmond Medical Center. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday at Trinity Lutheran Church of Belmond, with Pastor Rod Hopp officiating. Burial will take place at the Belmond Cemetery at Belmond. Graveside military rites will be provided by the Belmond Honor Guard. Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the Dugger Ewing Funeral Home in Belmond and one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials may be given to the Wright County Hospice, Trinity Lutheran Church or in the name of Robert Tomson.

Robert, the son of Albin and Emma Dorenkamp Tomson, was born July 21, 1921, in Belmond. He attended Belmond schools graduating from Belmond High School in 1939. On Dec. 14, 1941, Robert was united in marriage with Fern White at Bethany Lutheran Church in Kensett, Iowa. The couple made their home in Belmond. Robert enlisted into the U.S. Navy late in 1942, and served his country during World War II. A motor machinist mate, he was a member of the Amphibious Force aboard LST 373 on LCVP during the invasion of France, from a base at Portsmouth, England. LCVP hit a mine and sank, injuring many on board. Robert was hospitalized for back injuries, for which he received a Purple Heart. He then returned to the states and served for a time at Jacksonville Naval Air Station until his discharge on Nov. 10, 1945. Upon returning to Belmond following his discharge, Robert opened Tomson Grocery across from the Belmond School. After the sale of the store in 1950, he was employed by Armour & Co. for 14 years. He then purchased A.W. Loats Insurance Agency, which he named Tomson Insurance Agency. In 1972, Robert retired from Tomson Insurance Agency, selling it to Don Bunnell. Robert enjoyed golfing, camping, fishing and spending time with family. He was a member of VFW Post 4244 and a former member of the I.O.O.F. Lodge of Belmond, holding offices in both organizations. He served a term on the Belmond City Council, volunteered for Meals on Wheels, Belmond Community Car Care, Belmond Senior Citizens, serving as president several years, Congregate Meals board and Fare Share. Robert was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Belmond, where he served on the church council.

Robert is survived by his wife, Fern; two daughters, Lynnette Hruska and her husband, Jonathan, of Storm Lake, and Linda Geery, of Knoxville; five grandchildren, Nathan Hruska and his wife, Julie, Jennifer Hruska, Kristin Hruska, Cara Geery and Cami (Geery) Hollinrake and her husband, John; three great-grandchildren, Dominick Clarke, Joseph Hollinrake and Ethan Hruska; and one brother, Royce A. Tomson, of Fort Dodge. He was preceded in death by his parents. Dugger Ewing Funeral Home

Mason City Globe Gazette
April 19, 2001