Thomas "Tom" Horras

Thomas (Tom) Michael Horras died on August 4, 2024, after a recent illness. Tom was born October 18, 1951, in Sigourney, Iowa. He grew up on a farm in rural Iowa and attended school in the Pekin school district. His parents, Howard and Dorothy, raised him, alongside his 7 siblings all sharing in the duties of daily farm life. Although being #6 in line, his siblings may dispute how many of the duties Tom really shared. After graduating from Pekin High School in 1969, Tom attended Iowa State University briefly before obtaining his bachelors nursing degree from Mt. Mercy College in 1975 with the help of his sister, Susan and a very patient nun. Tom attended the University of Iowa working toward a master's degree in nursing. Unfortunately, there were no nuns to take pity on him and he didn't quite make it. Tom married Alda Knight and to this union 3 children were born. Later Tom married Lynelle Ainslie and to this union 2 children were born. Eventually, the 3rd time was a charm and Tom married Janet Nickell in 2010, also welcoming her 3 sons and families as part of his own family. Tom was so happy to finally be the dad to 8 kids just like his father.
After beginning his career as a nurse, Tom created a successful home health company, Hawkeye Health Services, from the basement of his home. When he sold the company, it was the largest home health care company in Iowa, stretching to the state's borders. He was proud of the important care this endeavor brought to patients and their families. After selling his company, Tom returned to direct patient care in various settings across Des Moines and Iowa City, enjoying his time in cardiac and intensive care units the most. He retired from nursing in 2011 and enjoyed working part-time at various local businesses in Marshalltown, enjoying the company of customers he served in the later years of his life.
Tom was a devout Catholic and family man who enjoyed nothing more than connecting with his children, grandkids and siblings. He loved attending music recitals, athletic meets, ball games and birthday parties to watch his grandchildren; always getting down on the floor to play, even though it took more time and effort to get back up in his later years. He remained the dedicated 'cabana boy' he promised to be to his wife, enjoying cleaning the pool, planning landscape and home projects and taking care of the house up until his latest illness. He will forever be remembered as a loving husband, dad, Papa Tom, brother and friend.
Left to honor Tom's life is his loving wife, Janet; children, Auston (Keetah) Horras, Alexas (Ryan) Swartz, Ashlynn (Seth Motes) Horras, Ainslie (Chris) Dehn-Franklin, Adrian (Autumn) Horras; step-children, Justin (Leslie) Gartin, Jeremy Gartin, Andrew Gartin; grandchildren & step-grandchildren, Aiden & Asher Overton-Horras, Michael (Kelsey), Kiona, Gabriel & Marissa Dodson, Emmett, Oliver & Amos Swartz, Asha & Samira Motes, Emerson Dehn-Franklin, Drew, Drake, Luna & Ollie Gartin, and Isaiah & Noah Gartin; siblings, Anna Mae Stewart (Davenport), Sandra McNamara (Urbandale, IA), Jana Sterling (Hedrick, IA), Betty Mendez (Hector) (Iowa City), Ed (Karen) Horras (Ollie), Susan (Mike) Stibal (Coralville), Cindy (Jeff) Hendrickson (Coralville); in-law siblings, Mike (Sharon) Nickell (Allerton), Randy (Wendy) Nickell (Russell), Barbara (Randy) Clark (Millerton); and dozens of nieces and nephews.
Thomas was preceded in death by his parents, Howard John Horras and Dorothy Henrietta (Hammes) Horras; brothers-in-law, David McPherson, Tom Stewart and Ron Schott; and grandparents, Casper & Mary Horras and Michael & Catherine Hammes.
Services for Tom will be held at his parish, St. Francis of Assisi at multiple locations.
Visitation with a celebration of life will be held on August 9, 2024, from 6:30 – 8:30 pm at the Saint Henry's Church location, 211 West Olive, Marshalltown, IA.
A funeral mass will be held on August 10, 2024, at 10:00 am at the Saint Mary's Church location, 9 West Linn Street, Marshalltown, IA.
Tom will be interred at a later date at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery in Clear Creek Township in Keokuk County, IA. where generations of his family have been laid to rest.
The family welcomes donations to a memorial to be established in Tom's name instead of flowers.
Tom's obituary was loving written by his family.