Thomas E Estlund

Thomas Edward Estlund, age 95, of Fort Dodge, passed away Tuesday, April 26, 2022 at Simpson Health Center Friendship Haven. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 7, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at Friendship Haven Celebration Center with visitation being held there beginning at 1:00 p.m. Graveside Military Funeral Honors conducted by the V.F.W. Post 1856 and the U.S Navy Honor Guard will be held at Corpus Christi Cemetery immediately following the service. Laufersweiler Funeral Home is serving the family. Tom was born on January 20, 1927 in Barnum, IA. He was the son of Floyd and Gladys Estlund. He grew up on the family farm and attended Barnum schools. Upon graduation from high school in 1944, Tom enlisted in the Navy at just 17 years of age. He was assigned to radar school where he trained and began his service during World War II on the maiden cruise of the USS Admiral Rodman. Over the next two years, Tom made three trips transporting troops to and from the Philippine Islands and sailed to Japan and the Panama Canal. He said it was quite an experience for a kid from Webster County who had never been further from home than Kansas City or Minneapolis! On May 15, 1948, Tom married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Phyllis Wise, at Corpus Christi Church, in Fort Dodge where they made their first home. Tom worked for Sears Roebuck before establishing his 32-year career with Standard Oil of Indiana/Amoco as a retail representative. Over the years, Tom and Phyllis raised their six children and enjoyed and supported all the activities that came with that. Tom was an avid golfer and a 50-year member of the American Legion. He truly loved the game and amazingly had made two hole in ones in his life! He was a loyal Hawkeye fan and overall sports enthusiast. For many years, Tom was an active member of the Elks Lodge, the Kiwanis Club and Golden Kiwanis and served as a volunteer at Trinity Regional Hospital. In 2010, Tom was part of the Brushy Creek Area Honor Flight which was quite a thrill for him. Tom and Phyllis traveled to many wonderful places together, wintered in Arizona, and enjoyed their years living at Friendship Haven. Their most valued times were those spent with family and friends. Tom is survived by his six children, Tim (Linda) Estlund, Rebecca (Randy) Theesfield, Steve (Cary) Estlund, Debby (Pat) Lynch, Jane Estlund, and Christine (Todd) Pletcher, 16 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren. He is further survived by his brother Jack Estlund and his sister Nancy Howell. Tom is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 70 years, Phyllis; his parents Floyd and Gladys and his brothers Jim, Bill, Kenny and Paul. The family sends a special thank you to the caring staff of Friendship Haven and the UnityPoint Hospice Care. We truly appreciate the love you had for Tom and the kind words you always had for him and shared with us. He was a loving father, grandfather and great grandfather. He has left each of us with many wonderful memories, and we will miss him dearly. Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family. Visitation Sat, May 7, 2022 at 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Celebration Center Friendship Haven 420 Kenyon Road Fort Dodge, IA 50501 Funeral Sat, May 7, 2022 at 2:00 pm Celebration Center Friendship Haven 420 Kenyon Road Fort Dodge, IA 50501