Thomas L. “Tom” Larson, age 81, of Dubuque, passed away at 8:58 p.m., on Thursday, July 20, 2023, at MercyOne Dubuque surrounded by his loving family.  To honor Tom’s life, family and friends may visit from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, where there will be a parish scripture wake service held at 6:00 p.m.  Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at St. Raphael’s Cathedral, 231 Bluff Street, with Rev. Dennis J. Quint officiating.  Inurnment will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, where full military honors will be accorded by the American Legion Dubuque Post 6.

Tom was born on March 26, 1942, in Dubuque, Iowa, son of Lee and Ila (Harville) Larson.

Tom graduated from Dubuque Senior High School, Class of 1960.  Right after school he began serving his country with the U.S. Air Force from 1960 until 1964.  Tom returned to Dubuque and went to work for John Deere Dubuque Works.  He devoted 35 years to the company and ended his career there as a supervisor, retiring in 2000.  Tom was united in marriage to Noreen Hendricks on July 22, 1967, at St. Patrick’s Church.  They were just 2 days away from their 56th wedding anniversary this year.  Tom’s faith and military service were both important aspects of his life.  He was a devoted member of St. Raphael’s Cathedral and the American Legion Dubuque Post 6.  Tom also enjoyed his free time.  He and Noreen were both die hard Iowa Hawkeye fans, attending as many football and basketball games as they could.  They had tailgating down to a science, and Tom always made sure that his special flags were the highest ones on display.  Tom also enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson, even though Noreen wasn’t a big fan.  She did however love the time they spent camping together as a family.  Tom also liked to go fishing, and in recent years enjoyed meeting up with his friends at Donut Boy to solve all the worlds problems.  His family was always the most important aspect of Tom’s life.  He truly cherished time spent with Noreen, the kids and the grandkids.  Tom was an excellent role model to everyone around him.  He was a devoted family man and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Those left to cherish Tom’s memory include

his wife,
Noreen Larson, Dubuque, IA;

his children,
Kris Hall, Dubuque, IA,
Doug (fiancé Ceci Gonzalez) Larson, Las Vegas, NV,
Kara (Tony) Culpepper, Dubuque, IA
and John (Katie) Larson, Dubuque, IA;

11 grandchildren,
Gabrielle, Tre, Mason, Monique, Ariana, Jordan, Piper, Avery, Blayke, Yulissa and Isla;

2 great-grandchildren,
Ace and Kai;

his siblings,
Paul (Landa) Larson, Duluth, GA
and Shirley Sheehan, Dubuque, IA;

a sister-in-law,
Michel Larson, Chandler, AZ;

and his in-laws,
Nancy (Dave) Brauhn, Robins, IA,
Mary Lou (Bob) Johanningmeier, Dubuque, IA,
Patty Hendricks, Dubuque, IA
and Ken Hilby, Menominee, IL.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings, Robert Larson, Dayle (“Babe”) Larson, Jym Larson, Roy (Noreen) Larson, Mary Sue Kelly, Nancy (Kirk) West; his in-laws, Louis and Lorraine Hendricks; a brother-in-law, Ron Hendricks; and a sister-in-law, Jan Hilby.

Tom’s family would like to thank Dr. Ram, and all of the nurses and staff at MercyOne Dubuque for all of their compassionate care of Tom.

The family will thankfully receive your support through greeting cards and memorials in Tom’s memory which may be mailed to Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001, Attn. Tom Larson Family.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.behrfuneralhome.com