Tom Schoenenberger

Tom Schoenenberger
December 19, 1940 - March 15, 2017

Thomas (Tom) Schoenenberger, 76, of Oelwein passed away on Wednesday March 15, 2017 at the Good Samaritan Society in West Union. Visitation will be from 3-6 PM on Sunday March 19, 2017 at the Geilenfeld Funeral Home in Oelwein. Funeral services will begin at 10:30 AM on Monday March 20, 2017 at Peace Lutheran Church in Oelwein with Rev. Michael Holmen officiating. Interment will be in Floral Hills Memorial Gardens at Hazleton. A memorial fund has been established.

Tom was born on December 19, 1940 in Canton, IL to parents John and Mary (Morgan) Schoenenberger. He graduated from West Central High School in Maynard with the class of 1958. On September 29, 1962 he was united in marriage with Virginia Potratz at St. Peters Lutheran Church in Westgate.

Tom operated the DX filling station in Westgate. He worked at the missile sites in South Dakota and at Donaldson Co. in Oelwein. Tom also worked with Rockford Life Ins. Co., Old Northwest Ins. Co. and Rockford Maps Pub. Co. He then purchased a platt book business he operated for over 30 years as M.A.P.S Midwestern, transitioning into Upper Midwest Publications, in his home office.

Tom enjoyed stamp collecting, first day covers, working word search puzzles, watching westerns, calling bingo and just visiting and socializing with people. He was a huge fan of Iowa Hawkeye Basketball. Tom was a member of the Peace Lutheran Church in Oelwein and had been a very active member of the Jaycees. He held officer positions in both. Tom’s friendly smile and laughter will be greatly missed.

Tom is survived by his wife Virginia; his son Scott Schoenenberger of Waterloo; his daughters: Heidi (John) Gosse of Independence, Denise (Kevin) Wilson of Oelwein and Paula (Don) Fleming of Independence; his grandchildren: Cassandra, Jake (Kelly Rappe`) and Erik Schoenenberger, Brittany and Brianne (Eric Weber) Gosse, Daniel Wilson, Morgan (Jim) Kivell, Bryon (Melissa Fedeler) and Cameron Wilson, Nikolas (Jenna) and Kayla (Sam Bills) Fleming; his great-grandchildren: Calista, Emma, Braylyn, Cooper, Charlotte, Jeremiah, Henry and Teal. He was preceded in death by his parents.

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David and Vicki Warthan on March 20, 2017 at 7:12 AM said:

Shoney, as I knew him was a gregarious, fun loving man who I spent a lot of time with in our younger years doing what teenagers did at the time. He Dean Nuss, Alan Houghson and I had a lot of fun with cars, teasing the policeman in Hawkeye, I believe his name was Herman Smith. We would go up there with one of our cars, which were all pretty fast for the time and let him chase us around but never catching us, thank goodness as our parents would have probably skinned us. Then my first experience with tobacco was with Shoney and the boys. He chewed Red Man and I had never tried it, so along with a little beer we confiscated from our parents he thought it was time for me to try the Red Man. I did so willingly but after putting it in my mouth I took a drink of beer and swallowed it by mistake. That was my first and last experience with chewing tobacco. I'm sure I turned green and what came out was not pretty.
On a serious note, I owe Tom for selling me "He could sell" on going to work for Old Northwest Company when I worked at Donaldson. They were an Insurance Brokerage firm in Minneapolis that he worked for. That was the beginning of my learning about the business world. He and I competed in the sales force with each other and head to head with many others, usually with the two of us being in the top 5 week after week.I will never forget that opportunity you made for me Shoney and how it has helped me through life dealing in the business world.
Our sincere condolences to your family and pray that God will help them through this difficult time, keeping in mind that you will all be together again someday and they have lots of good memories to help get them through this time.
God's speed my friend and I will see you on the other side.

Sheryl & Dick, Dalene Gosse & all family on March 19, 2017 at 7:15 PM said:

Heidi/Paula/Denise/Scott & Virginia: Cherish your family times together. Life will be different for all, as your dad/husband is now your special angel in heaven, still with you in your hearts forever. We are thinking of you in our prayers. Tom was a great guy, always full of joy with lots of laughs and truly loved all his family. Seen Tom a few wks ago at a meeting, it was good to see both your parents.

John& Rosie Moser on March 19, 2017 at 7:47 AM said:

We met Tom through Oelwein Landlords In the 1990s. He always impressed us with his kind and fair attitude toward some "not so nice" situations we shared with rental-tenant issues. He was a fine man and upstanding citizen who always gave the tenants a chance; Tom also cared very much on improving the city of Oelwein& worked to make it a better place to live. He can be proud of his rentals! We will miss him!

Debbie Floyd on March 18, 2017 at 2:19 PM said:

Thinking of the Schoenenberger Family. He was a pillar in the community for sure. I know he was a big part in my family's life employing my Dad Milo and even myself for a short time. Prayers for all.

Scott and Sally Ives on March 17, 2017 at 7:17 PM said:

Dear Denise and family,

Scott and I would like you to know that you and your family are in our prayers.

May God Grant your father Eternal Peace.

Anonymous on March 17, 2017 at 11:31 AM said:

My condolences to your family. May you gain strength from one another and from the prayers being sent for your dad and your family.

Lois Delagardelle on March 17, 2017 at 9:31 AM said:

My deepest sympathy to the whole family. Working with him at Oelwein Commercial Printing was a very interesting and entertaining venture with Tom. Blessings and grace go out to the whole family.

Beth Bunn on March 17, 2017 at 9:26 AM said:

I am so sad to see this obituary. Prayers and hugs to you all as you mourn the death of your dad, spouse and friend.
Virginia, Denise, Heidi, Paula and Scott. May the Lord comfort you all and hold you in the palm of his hands.

DIANNA DOPP BRANDENBURG on March 17, 2017 at 9:22 AM said:

I AM VERY SORRY TO HEAR OF TOMS PASSING HE WAS A CHARACTER BUT A GREAT MAN GREAT LANDLORD MANY YEARS AGO AND A GREAT BARTENDER AND WILL BE GREATLY MISSED I AM SENDING HUGS AND PRAYERS TO THE WHOLE FAMILY.

Ann Roth on March 17, 2017 at 5:24 AM said:

Sending our deepest sympathy to all family and friends. I did not know Tom, personally, but certainly his wonderful qualities are mirrored in all of his family.

Todd Huinker on March 16, 2017 at 5:23 PM said:

I am truly sorry for the whole family's loss,,,wish you all strength and peace.

Lyle & Nancy Miller on March 16, 2017 at 4:15 PM said:

Our condolences to your family. Always enjoyed Tom-he could be quite a character. May God bless & he rest in peace.

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Geilenfeld-Buehner Funeral Home

309 1st Avenue NE | Oelwein, IA 50662 | Phone: 319.283.4653

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