April 24, 1956 – November 3, 2025
Thomas “Tom” Oliver Monahan of Thompson, formerly of Mason City, passed away on Monday, November 3, 2025, at MercyOne North Iowa Hospital, surrounded by the people he loved most.
A visitation will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at Ward Van Slyke Funeral Home, 310 1st Ave. N, Clear Lake, IA. A funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. with Mark Doebel officiating. Burial will take place at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Tom was born April 24, 1956, in Mason City, Iowa, to Martin and Evelyn (Torkelson) Monahan. From the start, Tom knew the value of hard work. While most high school seniors were thinking about prom, Tom was already clocking in at his first full-time job, saving every dollar until he could buy himself a brand-new car. He was as proud of that car as some men are of a trophy buck.
After graduating from Mason City High in 1975, Tom went on to work for several meat packing plants across Iowa and Nebraska, earning a reputation as a dependable, no-nonsense worker. He took pride in doing things right, no shortcuts, no excuses, just honest work.
But while Tom was proud of his work, his true joy came from his family. He had a soft spot for his nieces and nephews, who could always count on him for a soda, some candy, and a good laugh. Uncle Tom was the jokester of the bunch, quick with a one-liner, a funny story, or a grin that meant trouble was brewing.
He was also an animal lover and a loyal friend. Whether it was playing cribbage, swapping stories, or sharing a cold beverage, Tom cherished time spent with those closest to him, including his dear friend, Linda Anderson, who could match him joke for joke and story for story.
Tom is survived by his siblings Kathy (Denny) Birke, Annie Billings, Johnny (Janice) Monahan, Ellen (Rick) Alexander, Ronald Monahan, Brian Monahan, and Kevin (Tammy) Monahan; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who will miss his humor, generosity, and steady presence.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Evelyn Monahan; brother, Dennis Monahan; and nephew, Shannon Alexander.
Tom lived his life the way he wanted, working hard, laughing often, and always making time for the people who mattered most. He leaves behind a lifetime of stories, a legacy of kindness, and more than a few grins from those lucky enough to have known him.
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