Thomas J. Bormann

Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, at 11:00 A.M. at the Divine Mercy Parish - St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Joseph. Burial will be in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church on Tuesday from 10:00 to 11:00 AM. There will be a rosary from the Knights of Columbus starting at 9:30 AM.
Tom Bormann of Bode, Iowa passed peacefully into the heavens during the morning of September 21, 2023. He was 88 years old.
Thomas John Bormann was born to John and Clara Stessman Bormann on January 30, 1935 at the Kossuth Hospital in Algona, Iowa. Tom grew up on a farm with his brothers Francis and Norman in the countryside of Livermore, Iowa. Tom graduated from the St. Joseph school in 1952.
Tom served in the US Army for 21 months as a parts specialist. His training took place at Forts Chaffee, Carson, and Belvoir before he was stationed at Schofield Barracks on the island of Oahu. Hawaii became the 50th state during his service on the islands.
Tom first saw Joyce Montag at a friend's wedding. He danced with her that evening at the Star Ballroom in Dakota City, called her the next day, and their courtship started. They spent many nights dancing and were married one year later on June 11, 1966 at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in West Bend, Iowa. Tom and Joyce welcomed 4 children into their family; Larry, Bill, Tim and Joan. Joan was born with medical difficulties and passed shortly after birth.
Tom loved farming and made this his career choice. He farmed the land that was bought by his Granpda Nick when he immigrated to the St Joe area from Luxembourg. He lived in the St. Joseph area almost his entire life until failing health moved him and Joyce to Urbandale in the Fall 2021 to live with his son, Bill, and family. Larry, Bill and Tim helped their dad farm and even raised thousands of chickens for a few years as Riverdale Egg Farm. The 80s were hard for the family but Tom did everything he could to save the farm. Because of his strength and steadfastness, the boys own and continue to farm their land today. When Tom retired, he helped his son, Larry, with Riverdale Electric which was located on the family farm and continues to operate today.
Tom's spare time was spent serving his community and Lord. He joined the Knights of Columbus in 1954. Next to raising his three sons, being a knight was his proudest accomplishment. During his time with the Knights, Tom served Council 3420 as a leader of their First Degree team and also served as Grand Knight. He served as District Deputy and State History Chairman. Tom was active in the St Joseph Catholic Church in St Joe, Iowa through being a lector, usher, choir member, church custodian, and member of the cemetery board. He served a major role in constructing the church's first pro-life display with over 400 white crosses. Tom oversaw the omelette breakfasts and was active with Mulligan Stew for many years. Tom's efforts as a Knight were rewarded in 2020 when he was chosen to be in the first class of the Knights of Columbus Hall of Fame.
Tom was a meek and humble servant to his Lord. He was proud of the sons he raised with Joyce, and the women they chose to be their wives. Tom and Joyce were blessed with 8 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren, and spent many years traveling to and from almost every event that their grandchildren participated in. They also enjoyed getting away on their own to Branson, Missouri.
Meeting Tom in Heaven were his parents, grandparents, daughter,Joan, and many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. Those left to keep Tom's memory alive are Joyce, his wife of 57 years; his sons Larry (Mary), Bill (Tammy) and Tim(Sara); his grandchildren Jason and Chris (Mary and Larry), Alex, Belle and Ben (Bill and Tammy), Lilly, Clara and Henry (Tim and Sara); and his great grandchildren Olivia and Eva (Jason and Sarah) and Morgan and Theo (Chris and Katie). He will also be missed by his special furry friend, Hobi.
We would like to thank Urbandale Health Care Center and Good Samaritan in Indianola for the precious care they helped us give Tom in this past year. Many thanks to all our loved ones for your prayers and condolences.