10/31/2024
Thomas Wayne Kading
September 15, 1943 – October 31, 2024
Thomas Wayne Kading Obituary
A Celebration of Life Service for Thomas Wayne Kading, 81, of Knoxville, will be held Saturday, November 9, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at the CELEBRATE Church in Knoxville. Visitation will be held at the CELEBRATE Church on Friday, November 8th from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. The celebration of life service may be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lfn0rly98U
Thomas Wayne Kading was born September 15, 1943 in Knoxville, Iowa. He was the middle child of Howard L. and Geraldine Summy Kading. The family lived all their lives at 310 South Lincoln Street. Tom graduated from Knoxville High School with KHS Class of 1961. In high school he was Class President his Junior Year, Class Vice President his Senior Year, Panther Club Secretary and Treasurer; solidly held down the bench in football; ran track 1,2,3; was a Boy’s State Honoree, Homecoming Escort and “A True KHS Honor Student!”
Tom and Pat met in 1960 when she fell madly in love with him while he was under a car at Blakely Block Plant with Dick Heath working on a motor. It took Tom a little longer :–).
He attended the University of Iowa before starting his career work with the U. S. Army Corp of Engineers in August of 1963 as a surveyor at the beginning phase of the Red Rock Dam project, a job he held proudly with the Corp for 37 years. After he retired in January 1999, the first time, they called and he went back for another three years from June 2008 and then really retired in August 2011.
Tom and Pat Thomas were married at the First United Methodist Church in Knoxville, Iowa September 5th, 1964. They began their lives at 614 Patrick Street in Knoxville, only Tom’s second home!
Through the years every inch of the house was remodeled and added to and Tom did almost all of it. They were blessed with two of the greatest kids: Scott, Pat’s favorite son and Kris, Tom’s favorite daughter. They just celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary with over 200+ of their dearest family and friends.
Tom was a member of CELEBRATE Church, counted the money for years and so enjoyed keeping the lawn trimmed perfectly.
Tom LOVED retirement, being at home where he could mow and work on his beautiful lawn anytime he wanted. His yard was impeccable – never a flower but lots of beautiful trees and grass that seemed to stand at attention!! Always THE Yard of the Month on our corner! Tom served the LORD faithfully and quietly and loved the people from the Church of GOD and CELEBRATE Church; He loved gardening and canning and in later years and enjoyed helping Kris work on her garden.
Years ago he never missed a sporting event Scott and Kris were in and tried to keep up with the grands! He was “ALMOST always supportive of everything Pat got him involved in!! :–) He was a Hawkeye Fan. This year he faithfully followed Caitlin Clark but not so much the WNBA :–) Tom supported KHS Class of 1961, the Knoxville Booster Club and was a Lifetime Charter Member of Knoxville Alumni; For many years they wintered in Mesa, Arizona and then the last several years they went to Orange Beach, Alabama with several Knoxville friends.
They tried, at least twice a year to meet up with lifelong friends, Mike and Marilyn Ridnouer for any occasion they could come up with. Tom enjoyed reading any car magazine, eating at Carrabba’s, tinkering with any motor, keeping every vehicle clean and the gas tank topped off, doing the trimming at CELEBRATE Church, helping with funeral dinners at CELEBRATE; volunteering for any job that needed to be done; Wednesday night date night making his homemade Caesar’s Salad; he loved to make cinnamon and dinner rolls for family and friends (and doing waffles for the GRANDS; having the lawn manicured perfectly to host the Community Easter Egg Hunt at the corner of Madison and Lincoln and helping Curt Schwanebeck set up all the posts and flags, hosting Knoxville National’s Campers; the never ending job of picking up walnuts and sticks; helping anyone who might need a helping hand, and ALWAYS doing something for Pat!! He truly was a very loved Saint!!
AND he loved his family most of all. He was always there to lend a helping hand if they needed one.
Tom’s sudden, devastating illness, ILD, took him much more quickly than anyone thought possible. He was the picture of health celebrating at their anniversary celebration and less than two months later, he was gone. Tom passed away at home on October 31, 2024, surrounded by his cherished family.
His love may be his greatest legacy. His love for Pat and his children and grandchildren is nothing short of inspiring and will be passed down for generations.
Tom loved his community and contributed however he could, some things were seen, but many were just good deeds done for others in need. And his greatest love was his love for the Lord. He has had a deep faith from the minute he found Jesus.
Tom will be greatly missed by his favorite wife of 60 years, Pat Thomas Kading; his children, Scott Wayne Kading (Ashley), Iowa City; his favorite daughter and most exceptional neighbor, Kris (Brian) Hiemstra, Knoxville; GRANDKIDS McKenzie (Austin) McDonald Cordes; Kennedy J McDonald; Jaxson Thomas Kading; Jake Hiemstra and Emerson Hiemstra; Brothers Larry (Carol) Kading, Portland, Oregon and Dick (Cindy) Kading, Coralville, Iowa and a host of nieces, nephews, the Kading Cousins, his CELEBRATE Church Family, and many dear friends!!
Preceding Tom in death were his parents, Howard and Jerry Summy Kading and in-laws, Wally and Dora Reed Thomas.
As per Tom’s wishes, donations be made to the Knoxville Panther Scholarship Foundation (KPS Foundation), to fund the Tom Kading Memorial Scholarship that will be awarded to a Knoxville High School graduate pursuing study at a trade school.
Rest in Peace, our wonderful Papa!! Our faith will be strong until we see you again!!
“Well done thou good and faithful servant!
You have been faithful . . . .
Enter into the joy of the LORD!” Matthew 25:23
A webcast for the services of Thomas Wayne Kading was created.
Family and friends are coming together online to create a special keepsake.
Every memory left on the online obituary will be automatically included in this book.
Donations: Donate to Charity
The family has chosen to send donations to Knoxville, Panther Scholarship Foundation
Pierschbacher Funeral Homes
CELEBRATE Church in Knoxville.
Visitation will be held at the CELEBRATE Church on Friday, November 8th from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m.
Those left to cherish Tom’s memory are his favorite wife of 60 years, Pat Thomas Kading; his children Scott Wayne Kading (Ashley) of Iowa City, Kristin Danielle Kading (Brian) Hiemstra, Knoxville, Iowa; his GRANDchildren McKenzie Jo McDonald (Austin) Cordes, Kennedy J McDonald, Jaxson Thomas Kading, Jake Hiemstra , Emerson Hiemstra;
brothers Larry (Carol) Kading,Portland, Oregon and Dick (Cindy) Kading, Coralville, Iowa; and nieces, nephew, the ‘Kading Cousins’, his CELEBRATE Church family and many dear friends!
As per Tom’s wishes, the family requests in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Knoxville Panther Scholarship Foundation (KPS Foundation).
Donations will be used to fund the Tom Kading Memorial Scholarship awarded to a
Knoxville High School graduate pursuing study at a trade school.