Thomas A. “Tom” Dutcher, 82, of Mason City passed away Thursday, September 9, 2021 at the Good Samaritan Society in Red Oak, Iowa.
A graveside service will be held 1:00 p.m., Thursday, September 16, 2021 at Memorial Park Cemetery in Mason City with Rev. Kathy Graves of Trinity Lutheran Church officiating. A gathering will be held in Mason City following the graveside service at a place to be determined by the family.
A celebration of life gathering will be held from 5 to 8 p.m., Friday, September 17, 2021 at the Firehouse Restaurant in Red Oak. There will be no visitation.
Tom was born March 11, 1939 in Mason City, Iowa, the son of Lester and Mabel (Usher) Dutcher. He graduated from Mason City High School in 1957 and later attended Mason City Junior College and graduated from Iowa State Teacher’s College. He started teaching near Mason City and moved to Red Oak in 1976. Tom taught in Red Oak until 1987 and moved away from the area in 1995. He lived several different places until coming back to Red Oak approximately two weeks ago residing at the Good Samaritan Society. Over the years of teaching, Tom also coached softball and basketball.
Tom is survived by his daughters, Leslie Dutcher and husband Jonathan of San Francisco, CA and Allison Ruhl of Red Oak, IA and Kevin Ruhl of Minot, ND; grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Anderson, Kendall and Alex Ruhl of Red Oak, IA; and many nieces and nephews whom he adored and who adored him.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Ray, Les, and Bob Dutcher; and sister, Verla Turvold.
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May the stars above light his way to a new journey. A journey to the heavens above. And at the end of the starry path shall be a place for peace. A happy place in his heart for him to visit every day. Maybe a forest where he played with his daughters in the trees. Maybe a meadow where he first met the love of his life. Maybe even his hometown where his own mother and father will be waiting for him. Wherever the path leads him, may it be a beautiful place. His death will not be in vain, for he continues to smile at us from the clouds above our heads and continues to walk with us on the pavement below our feet. He will never be forgotten and will be in our hearts. The tears we shed for him now, will continue to be shed for he is someone that we care for and never will stop caring. He now walks with us in spirit. Rest In Peace