Thomas D. Gardalen, age 73, of Holstein, passed away on Thursday, August 10, 2017 at the Good Samaritan Society of Holstein.  A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, August 15, 2017 at 10:30 AM at the Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church of Holstein with the Fr. Dan Guenther officiating.  Burial will be at the Calvary Cemetery of Holstein.  A visitation will be held on Monday, August 14, 2017 from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM with a Scripture service at 7:00 PM at the Nicklas D. Jensen Funeral Home of Holstein. 

Thomas D. Gardalen was born in Webster City, IA on January 22, 1944 to Orville and Margaret (Hess) Gardalen and lived in Dows until graduating high school.  He went to the University of Iowa and then on to graduate with a BS in Business Administration and a law degree from Drake University Law School in 1972.  He worked his way through law school as a Structural Draftsman/Estimator.  After graduating, he went to work at the Internal Revenue Service as an attorney in the Estate and Gift Tax Department.  He then moved to Holstein where he worked in private practice and was an Ida County Magistrate.  Later he held jobs at VT Industries and Tyson Foods. 

On June 18, 1977, he married Diane Klus of Odebolt.  They were blessed with three children, Carren, Brian and Alicia.  Throughout most of the years of their marriage, Tom and his family opened up their home to over 55 foster children.  He was a great father figure and role model to them all.

The loves of his life were his grandchildren, camping, strawberry shortcake, doing laundry and true crime shows.  He was known for his quick wit and dry humor.

Tom’s life is honored, celebrated and cherished by his family which includes his wife of 40 years, “Diny” of Holstein, IA; daughters, Carren (Tom) Evans of St. Augustine, FL, Alicia (Scott) Clark of Lake View, IA; and son, Brian, (Amy Parker) of Oakland, IA; sister, Marla (Don) Terrell, brother, John (Joni) Gardalen; grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Jacob, Taylor, Jordan, Kaitlyn, Kennedey, Tayler, Kaydyn; great-granddaughter Marlei; and many nieces, nephews, foster children and extended family and friends.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Margaret and Orville; sister, Nancy Maynes; his mother and father-in-law, Vernon and Bridget Klus and brother-in-law John Sohm.

 Service Information