Thomas Joseph Kean

Thomas J. Kean, formerly of Dubuque, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 1, 2026 after a short time in hospice care. Born in Dubuque on October 19, 1954, Tom arrived premature and survived and thrived against all odds. He was a little guy from the start, born with "old man hands" that he always hated (but his daughter always loved) and a general hobbit-like stature and nature. To "help" him with his smallness, his mother Mary Ann made him eat foods he hated, most notably liver and onions which he loudly despised for the rest of his life. In high school Tom ran track, wrestled and played football until an ill-fated injury that messed up his elbow for life. Tom loved taking frequent trips in the family pop-up camper to see family in Rapid City South Dakota. He often talked about his road trips with his brother, Pat. He loved skiing and was an instructor at Sundown for many years.

He grew up in the family photography business, working with his parents at Mould Studio. His love for art would take him to the University of Northern Iowa, where he studied art and geology. When his father James passed, Tom took over the business with his mother, which he ran until 1986. He married Therese Ragatz in 1984, and became a devoted husband and beloved father and step father. He spent the last ten years of his working life building motors at Bodine Electric. He was an accomplished potter, artist and photographer. In his retirement, he loved playing golf, especially with his grandson, Cody. He and his daughter, Tess, were very close, speaking to each other nearly every day.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Jim and MaryAnn, his brother, Pat, his sister Joan, his father-in-law, Joe Ragatz, and sister in law, Ann Doll. He is survived by his wife, Therese, daughter Tess (Philip Henry), stepdaughters Genevieve Anglin (Alex Schmidt), and Tanya Hirsch (Jason Hirsch), grandsons Cody Hirsch and Connor Schmidt, granddaughter Josey Hirsch, and brother Jim Kean.

His incredible kindness and warm heart will be deeply missed by all that loved him.