Thomas Lee Mailander

1948 - 2024

Thomas Lee Mailander passed away peacefully on Friday, June 21, 2024, in Omaha Neb. Tom was born Oct. 1, 1948, in Atlantic. Tom grew up south of Wiota, where he spent his youth playing and working on the family farm. Tom never forgot his Iowa roots and in any down time he had, he would always choose to fish or hunt, depending on the season. He was happiest being out in nature.
He attended the Wiota School before its closing, and graduated from Anita High School with the class of 1967. He then attended Creighton University, where he worked for the food service to help pay for his education. It is there that he grew to love the food industry. Shortly after his marriage in 1974, he became the owner/manager of Surfside Club restaurant, located on the banks of the Missouri River. Surfside quickly became a popular summer attraction for many. Tom spent 37 years serving thousands the iconic chicken, catfish, and corn fritters. Anyone who worked for Tom became family and still to this day remain wonderful friends.
Tom is survived by his wife of 50 years, Paula, and their two children Nathan (Karrie) and Paige (Stephen), and four grandchildren, and his five siblings, Gene (Pam), Teresa (Greg), Paul (Amy), Jim (Karen) and Carla (Doug); and his sister-in-law, Chris (Ed). He was preceded in death by his parents Edward and Pearl Mailander, his sister Patricia, and Paula's parents, Frederick and Philomena Tabshey.
Visitation will be Friday, June 28 from 5-7 p.m., at Roeder Mortuary, at 108th and Maple Street in Omaha, Neb.
He will be missed, but he has enough good hunting and fishing stories to keep everyone in heaven entertained as only he could.
Rest in peace dear Tom.