Thomas Enarson

Thomas Arthur Enarson (Tom), was born January 20, 1934, to Donald and Charlotte (Arthur) Enarson in Villisca, Iowa. He entered into rest on May 24, 2025, at Eiler Senior Living in Clarinda, Iowa.
Tom was born in a house in Villisca just a few blocks west of downtown. Aside from a few brief absences for a job, college, and the last 4 months of his life, Tom lived in Villisca all of his life. His childhood was filled with freedom to explore, to collect stray dogs, and to interact with extended family and many friends. He took advantage of that freedom; It suited his personality. In fact, he took off to Montana to work on a farm the summer before his senior year of high school without telling his family, much to his mother's chagrin. He returned and graduated from Villisca High School in 1952, where he had been involved in band, choir, track, and basketball. Music and sports remained strong interests for his entire life.
His early work experience included helping his dad at his grocery store, and working at the Conoco gas station, then at Cameron Lane's International Harvester Implement dealership. It was during this last job that he had his first date with Susie Hedstrom-they delivered a tractor to Clarinda and went out for a cup of coffee after the delivery. It was the beginning of more than 66 years of coffee breaks together.
Tom attended Iowa Wesleyan University and the University of Iowa, taking various liberal arts classes. He and Susie married on June 29, 1958, and moved to Iowa City. At the end of the fall semester, the couple returned to Villisca to settle down with their first expected child. Tom began working in the insurance business with his dad. Karl was born in June 1959, followed by Bill in June 1960, and Kristin in November 1961.
Tom's career began with the family insurance business and ended in 1989 when he retired after a 15-year position as a carpenter with Burlington Northern Railroad. During that time, in 1966, he bought a farm east of Villisca where he built a cow-calf operation. He continued to be involved in the farm, along with his son Bill, for the rest of his life.
In addition to tending to his cow herd, Tom spent his retirement years doing things he loved: telling stories over coffee and pastries, following the Iowa Hawkeyes, and entertaining grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and neighborhood kids. Tom and Susie were proud Villisca Bluejay boosters and took great interest in local youth. They attended junior high and high school music and sporting events (home and away) and knew many of the students. Tom was always happy to introduce kids to his friendly Shorthorns at the farm, and give kids a chance to try the rope swing or to "walk the plank" in the barn. Tom and Susie's front porch was a favorite spot for kids to congregate, and Tom enjoyed holding court there.
He was a long-time member of the Villisca United Methodist Church, where he was baptized, confirmed, and married, and where Tom and Susie served as mentors for church confirmands. Tom also served in the National Guard in his 20s, and as a volunteer firefighter with the Villisca Fire Department for many years.
Not a fan of travel or spending money, Tom lived a full life appreciating all that was around him-his loving wife and best friend Susie, family, friends, kids, cows, dogs, and anyone who would join him on the porch swing. His was a rich life.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Karen Ginger, and Elaine Gillespie, and grandson Scott Enarson. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Susie, of Clarinda, IA, children Karl Enarson, Longmont, CO, Bill (Sarah) Enarson, Villisca, IA, and Kristin (Brett) Crouse, Iowa City, IA. Grandchildren: Andrew Enarson, Ankeny, IA, Dillon Enarson, Yukon, OK, Ben Crouse and partner Rachel Lo, Los Angeles, CA, Julia Crouse, Asheville, NC, Bethany (Jacob) Muller, Clarinda, IA, Ryan (Alaina) Honkomp, Altoona, IA, Kendi Graham, Cedar Falls, IA, Josie Enarson, Longmont, CO, and great-grandchildren Josiah Mondragon-Miller and Isaiah Enarson, Firestone, CO, Brynn and Brie Muller, Clarinda, IA, and Kylo and Addi Honkomp, Altoona, IA. He is also survived by brothers-in-law Gary Gillespie, Coralville, IA, and Ed Ginger, Northbrook, IL, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Memorial gifts in Tom's honor may be directed to the family to be used for Villisca organizations