Thomas Wayne McLees, 91, of Cascade Iowa and formerly or Rochester MN died peacefully on Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at Accura HealthCare of Cascade.

Visitation for Tom will be from 10 to 11 a.m. , Monday, October 30. 2023 at St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Cascade, Iowa, where a mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00  a.m., with Msgr. James Miller presiding.   Interment will be held in Calvary Cemetery in Cascade, with full military honors afforded by the Cascade American Legion Post #528.  The Reiff Funeral Home in Cascade is assisting the family with arrangements.

Tom was born December 22, 1931 in Chicago IL to Adeline (Kirsch) and Herbert McLees. He graduated from St. Martin’s High School in Cascade in 1950.  Following graduation, Tom enlisted in the Navy, serving in the Philippines and honorably discharged in 1955.

Tom attended Loras Academy, Dubuque Iowa and graduated from Iowa State University in 1959 with a degree in Industrial Administration. His first job was at Collins Radio in Mt. Vernon Iowa. He lived in several cities in the Midwest, retiring from Analysts International Corporation in 1995 after spending 19 years with the company in Rochester MN. After retirement, Tom went to Florida to escape the winters and golfed several days each week.

Tom exhibited a passion for life, traveling to many places throughout the world, including Singapore, Alaska, Hawaii, and Egypt. Tom was in a group affiliated with the Dominics, and the group went on many skiing and camping trips to National parks as well as Europe and the Scandinavian countries. Tom was a certified scuba diver, loved to kayak, an avid biker – both pedal and motorcycle, and ran 5K races, winning many in the 80+ age division.

Tom had a pilot’s license and was very proud of his time spent in the Civil Air Patrol.  He enjoyed going on search and rescue missions and served as a Squadron Commander.

Tom returned to Cascade in 2017, first residing at River Bend Retirement Community and then Accura HealthCare.  The family is grateful to the staff at both facilities, to Deb Rohr, DAP ARNP for her exceptional care, and Hospice of Dubuque for their services in Tom’s final days.  The family is also grateful to Tom’s long- time friends, Geri Welscher and Dennis Ostland for their assistance in the transition from Rochester to Cascade.

Tom is survived by nieces Beth (Matt) McQuillen, Anamosa, Patti (Tim) Gehl, Cascade, Amy Cooper, DeWitt, and nephew Chris (Jalessa) Neiers, Dubuque and their children; Maggie McQuillen, Melissa Gehl, Michelle Gehl, Lauren Cooper, Lexy Cooper, Bennett Neiers and Breckyn Neiers. He was preceded in death by his sister and brother-in-law, Marilyn and Paul Neiers, and great nephew Alex Cooper.