Obituaries : Thomas William Busenbark

Thomas William Busenbark, 83, of Shellsburg, Iowa, passed away peacefully on May 23, 2024 surrounded by his family and beloved dog, Sammy from complications of Alzheimer's.

A celebration of life will be held from 2-6 p.m. at Wildcat Golf Course in Shellsburg on Saturday, June 8, 2024.

Tom was born April 26, 1941, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the son of John and Erma (Street) Busenbark. He graduated from high school in Center Point, Iowa in 1959. Tom attended Upper Iowa University in Fayette, Iowa. From there he joined the Army Reserves. Tom then worked for Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company in Cedar Rapids and on September 1, 1968, joined the Marion Fire Department. Tom retired as Assistant Fire Chief on April 26, 1996.

Tom married Wilma Fiebelkorn on July 23, 1988. They moved to Shellsburg after Tom retired to enjoy life. Tom served as Mayor of Shellsburg for two terms and volunteered on the Shellsburg Fire Department. During retirement Tom and Wilma enjoyed spending time with family and especially at their cabin on Stoney Lake in Minnesota. They spent their summers at the lake and winters at their home in Arizona. They enjoyed entertaining people for many years with "Tom and Wilma's Karaoke." Tom also enjoyed fishing, traveling, playing poker and his many dogs over the years.

Tom is survived by his wife Wilma; daughters, Cindy (Robert) Shipley Jutson, Stacia Wright, and Charlene Fiebelkorn Brody; grandchildren, Christopher Shipley, Emily Stonebraker, Alex (Courtney) Hunter, Briana Wright, Kyle and Kurt Beatty, Kayla and Tori Brody, Madison (Cruze) Perea and Colton Draker; sister Sue (Roy) Cole; sisters-in-law Nellie (Tom) Saunders and Louise (Bill) Bruce; 9 great grandchildren, several nieces, and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Erma; stepdaughter Carla Beatty and son-in-law John Brody.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family for a memorial fund that has been established.

The family would like to thank St. Croix Hospice for their services and support at a very difficult time.

Online Condolences: www.phillipsfuneralhomes.com