Celebration of Life, Saturday, February 6, 2010 10:30 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church, Mineola, Iowa.
Memorials may be made to the Salvation Army.
INTERMENT: At a later date.
Thomas John Twehous, 59, of Malvern, Iowa, entered into eternal rest on February 2, 2010 in Red Oak, Iowa. He was born on June 16, 1950 in Fremont, Nebraska to Francis William & June Elizabeth (Dorfmeyer) Twehous. His hometown was Scribner, NE and he also resided in Fremont, NE before moving to Omaha, NE with his mother. He graduated from Central High School in 1968 and then joined the Navy. He faithfully served his country from 1968-74 on the USS Henry B Wilson destroyer, which included 18 months combat duty off the coast of North and South Vietnam serving as a Launch Control Technician. He obtained the rank of Petty Officer 2nd Class. Thomas received numerous medals and accommodations while serving his country.
Upon discharge from the Navy he worked for two Video Arcade Companies in Omaha, later starting his own amusement and game company in 1979 called TNT Amusement Co., which included much more than just game equipment. This is the year he met and fell in love with his soul mate of 31 years or as he called her, “The girl of my dreams” Daina Lee Krause. They lived in Omaha until the announcement of their new addition, Matthew Sean Twehous, in August of 1987, at this time they moved to the country outside of Malvern, Iowa. In addition, Tom was a handy man part time in the Mills County area fixing televisions, VCR’s, radios, golf carts as well as home electrical and plumbing repairs. He went to work part time at Tilts, an amusement and game arcade in 1997 in Omaha, NE and would fix pull tab vending machines in Nebraska to add some extra income.
Tom Volunteered for 17 years as a superintendent for the Mils County Fair Open Class Hobbies and Crafts division. He loved seeing all the artwork the young children, including Matt and his grandchildren would enter in the fair. He encouraged parents around Mills County to have their children enter things they had made from church, school and home. HE helped his wife with the kids crafts for Friends of the Library during Festival of Trees for 15 years which included 5 years and also enjoyed playing Santa. He volunteered at church and was a Cub and Boy Scout leader for 12 years. He went on 100 plus camp outs during Matt’s trail to Eagle Scout including the 20 below winter trips. Tom also volunteered to help other scouts with their Eagle Scout projects. He volunteered at Heritage Days in Malvern and helped with numerous activities. Tom assisted with Abraham Lincoln High School Band events, concerts and competitions. In addition, he taught chess at Hoover Elementary School in Council Bluffs, Iowa for 2 years. He never misses a concert, play, awards ceremony, breakfast, sports event or graduation that his son Matt was involved in. He loved buying books during the book fairs, but most of all he enjoyed reading them with Matt. Tom was a proud and loving father to his son and older children, a loving and caring grandpa, the most understanding and caring spouse and a friend to many.
He enjoyed making furniture, carving and later he really got into on-line video gaming which he would participate with Matt while away at college. Tom liked helping young adults in any way he could, he was a great listener and friend. He enjoyed playing board games and cards with his family and grandchildren. If anyone needed something fixed they always knew Tom would try his best to get it repaired when asked. He was a go to person for neighbors and friends to borrow equipment and tools from whenever needed.
Tom was a wonderful son who took care of his mother during her six-month battle with cancer in 2007. He was a loving, kind and caring person and will be greatly missed by his family and friends. As his 6 year old grandson says, “Grandpa has gone to heaven to be all the little kids candy man.” Tom loved to make everyone smile with his jokes and funny antidotes; he always said life was to short to frown or be sad. He always put his family first.
Preceding Tom in death were his parents, Francis Williams & June Elizabeth (Dorfmeyer) Twehous. His is survived by his wife, Daina Lee; son, Matthew Sean; daughter, Wendy Krause-Mahan & husband Scott and their children, Rachel, Tim, Brandon and Samantha; son, Bryan Krause Twehous and wife Jill and their children, Dalton and Shane and Bryan’s daughter Shyanne; sister, Cathy & husband Daryl Greger and her children, Marsha Neiman and her son Dion; Tammy Neiman; Molly Garrison & husband Greg and their son Cameron; Daryl’s sons, Scott Greger & wife Marcy and their children Christopher, Megan and Ryan; Chris Greger and wife Stephanie and their children, Annabell, Rollie, and Reed along with several extended relatives.
Visitation:Tuesday, February 2, 2010
4:00 PM
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Service:Saturday, February 6, 2010
10:30 AM
Mineola, IA
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