Tom Christian

Thomas H. Christian, age 79, of Sioux Rapids, Iowa died May 3, 2021 at his home in Sioux Rapids. 

Memorial services will take place Monday, May 10, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Church in Sioux Rapids. To watch the live stream of the service use the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2177754042?pwd=aEpBTGdZdURkUlJWOU5CRjl1b2tXdz09 and enter the password: 123456. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in the Lone Tree Cemetery in Sioux Rapids. The Sliefert Funeral Home in Sioux Rapids is in charge of the arrangements. 

Thomas Harlan Christian was born on October 29, 1941 in Roland, Iowa to Herbert Christian and Thordis (Highland) Christian.  After Herbert’s passing Thordis married Julius Christian who raised Tom and was Tom’s father.  Tom was baptized and confirmed at the Lutheran Church in Roland, Iowa.  He also attended grade school and High School in Roland, Iowa, graduating in 1959.  Tom through school years enjoyed hunting, fishing and playing sports.  He played on the Roland rockets basketball team that won the Iowa State Basketball tournament in 1957-58 his Junior year; Runner up State champions in 1958-59 his Senior year of High School.  This was prior to Iowa dividing schools into districts based on size of schools. 

After graduation Tom started out attending Iowa State University, then went on to Buena Vista University where he met and married Pam (Doyle) Christian.  To this union were three children born, Joan, Paul, and Eric.  Tom then attended a couple other colleges before he graduated from University of South Dakota.  Later he pursued and completed his Master’s degree in Mathematics from the University of South Carolina.  After completing his Master’s degree Tom taught Mathematics at several area schools including Royal, Mason City and Sioux Rapids even teaching his daughter Joan for a year of High School.  While Tom was teaching, he also farmed and worked heavy construction.  

After his marriage to Pam, he began a career working at Simo-Tek and married Peggy (Essick) Glover on January 20, 1994.  Tom suffered an Aneurysm in 1996 and his working career stopped.  Tom then spent time with family, fishing, hunting, golfing watching the Cubs, Bulls and Bears.  He was a loyal Chicago sports supporter aside from watching sports at all levels.  He most enjoyed watching his grandchildren participate in sports and activities they enjoyed.  Tom would often take rides to his farm just outside of town to enjoy the wildlife.  As an avid outdoorsmen, sports fanatic, father, grandfather he had a passion for spending time teaching others.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife Peggy of 27 years from Sioux Rapids; daughter, Joan Christian of Brooklyn, New York; son, Paul (Angie) Christian and their children: Nora and Jack of Linn Grove, Iowa; son, Eric (Jennifer) Christian and their children: Connor and Morgan Christian of Sioux Rapids, Iowa; Sara (Monte) Fassler of Sioux Rapids, Iowa; Karl (Andrea) Glover of Brookings, South Dakota; Kyle (Ami) Glover of Sioux Rapids, Iowa; Kale (Nicole) Glover of Marathon, Iowa; a total of 14 grandchildren; three great grandchildren; and a brother, Marvin (Kathleen) Christian.

Thomas was preceded in death by his parents; older brother, Gene Christian and his ex-wife Pam. 

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