Thomas J. Emerson, 76, of Peosta, IA, passed away peacefully at home Saturday, October 5th, 2024, surrounded by his family after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Visitation will be held Thursday, October 10, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Rd., Dubuque, IA. A funeral service will follow at 5:30 p.m. with Dianne Grace officiating. Inurnment will take place at a later date in Clear Lake Cemetery, Clear Lake, IA.

Tom was born on October 1, 1948, to Charles Edward and Dorothy Jean (Norman) Emerson in Nashua, IA.  He was united in marriage to Patricia Ann Raschke on June 7, 1969, in Des Moines, IA.

Tom graduated from Roosevelt High School in Des Moines in 1966. He attended the University of Northern Iowa where he majored in education. He was a teacher in Lancaster, WI, a guidance counselor in Belle Plaine, IA, and a principal at HLV High School in Victor, IA, and at Starmont High School in Strawberry Point, IA.  After 28 years he retired from education and became an agent for Thrivent Financial.

Tom enjoyed being surrounded by his family and friends. He most enjoyed his happy place in Clear Lake, IA, and watching sunsets with his beloved wife.

He is survived by his wife Patricia; his children Christina Emerson, Kimberly (Jeff) Fabor, Stacy (Jeremy) Pollock, and David Emerson; his grandchildren Megan (Denny) Mockmore, Alyssa (Bryce) Dreckman, Dylan Fabor, Emily (Samm) Ford, Elizabeth, Lillian and Arielle Pollock, and Thomas and Kaylee Emerson; his great-grandchildren Aiden Ostrum, Cael and Finley Mockmore, Mason Ford, and Tatum Dreckman; his brother Richard (Diana) Emerson; his in-laws Fred (Kate) and James Raschke.

Tom is preceded in death by his parents, his infant brother David and his father and mother-in-law Fred and Colleen Raschke.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Thomas Emerson Educational Memorial Fund, or Hospice of Dubuque.

The family would like to thank Dr. Hermann, Bobye and Sara at Grand River Oncology, the staff at Finley Radiology and Hospice of Dubuque for their loving care of Tom through out his cancer journeys.