Thomas Henrich
December 29, 1959 — October 20, 2018
Thomas Lawrence Henrich, son of Lawrence and Rita (Bernholtz) Henrich, was born on December 29, 1959 in Carroll, Iowa. Tom was baptized and confirmed at St. Francis Catholic Church in Carroll and attended grade school at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel also in Carroll. He went on to attend Kuemper Catholic High School in Carroll and graduated with the class of 1978.
Tom was raised on a small family farm and he was brought up to be a loyal, respectful and caring young man. As fun loving and ornery as he was, he always respected his mother by being humble and kind while the ornery side came from his father who taught him to not only work hard but also to have fun in life.
On April 27, 1985, Tom was united in marriage to Deb Tremel at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Earling, Iowa. Four children were born to this union: Ashley, Amber, Ryan and William. Although he worked as a mechanic for most of his life, Tom's heart never left the farm even after moving to Earling as he loved helping his brother-in-law on the Tremel family farm. Tom wore many hats, but being a husband, dad and grandpa was what he loved most. He loved camping vacations with his family and friends, golfing, playing euchre and was a huge NASCAR fan with Dale Ernhardt being his favorite driver.
But the hat that he wore with as much pride as any person before him was that of a firefighter and emergency responder for the Earling Volunteer Fire Department. He was a member for over thirty years and was the Fire Chief for the last ten. Even when it meant missing a family gathering or event, Tom was there to assist the residents of Earling and Shelby County without hesitation. He also was instrumental in training the firefighters and EMT's of the future as an EMT and CPR instructor. Tom was also doing some mechanical work for the Farm Service Coop Mill and helped with the building maintenance at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Harlan.
Tom collapsed at the scene of a fire outside of Earling and was transferred to Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan where he died on October 20, 2018 having attained the age of fifty-eight years, nine months and twenty-one days. In addition to his parents, Tom was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Leonard Tremel.
Survivors include his wife Deb Henrich of Earling; children Ashley Brandon of Earling; Amber and her husband Matt Rathert of Ankeny, Iowa; Ryan Henrich of Earling and William Henrich and Katie Wood of Waukesha, Wisconsin; grandson Jensen Brandon; siblings Nancy and her husband Ray Kraus of Carroll, Iowa; Dick Henrich and his wife Bernie of Carroll; Jane and her husband John Walker of Waukee, Iowa; mother-in-law Mary Pat Tremel of Earling; his brothers and sister of the Earling Volunteer Fire Department; nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.
Tom was raised on a small family farm and he was brought up to be a loyal, respectful and caring young man. As fun loving and ornery as he was, he always respected his mother by being humble and kind while the ornery side came from his father who taught him to not only work hard but also to have fun in life.
On April 27, 1985, Tom was united in marriage to Deb Tremel at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Earling, Iowa. Four children were born to this union: Ashley, Amber, Ryan and William. Although he worked as a mechanic for most of his life, Tom's heart never left the farm even after moving to Earling as he loved helping his brother-in-law on the Tremel family farm. Tom wore many hats, but being a husband, dad and grandpa was what he loved most. He loved camping vacations with his family and friends, golfing, playing euchre and was a huge NASCAR fan with Dale Ernhardt being his favorite driver.
But the hat that he wore with as much pride as any person before him was that of a firefighter and emergency responder for the Earling Volunteer Fire Department. He was a member for over thirty years and was the Fire Chief for the last ten. Even when it meant missing a family gathering or event, Tom was there to assist the residents of Earling and Shelby County without hesitation. He also was instrumental in training the firefighters and EMT's of the future as an EMT and CPR instructor. Tom was also doing some mechanical work for the Farm Service Coop Mill and helped with the building maintenance at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Harlan.
Tom collapsed at the scene of a fire outside of Earling and was transferred to Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan where he died on October 20, 2018 having attained the age of fifty-eight years, nine months and twenty-one days. In addition to his parents, Tom was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Leonard Tremel.
Survivors include his wife Deb Henrich of Earling; children Ashley Brandon of Earling; Amber and her husband Matt Rathert of Ankeny, Iowa; Ryan Henrich of Earling and William Henrich and Katie Wood of Waukesha, Wisconsin; grandson Jensen Brandon; siblings Nancy and her husband Ray Kraus of Carroll, Iowa; Dick Henrich and his wife Bernie of Carroll; Jane and her husband John Walker of Waukee, Iowa; mother-in-law Mary Pat Tremel of Earling; his brothers and sister of the Earling Volunteer Fire Department; nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.
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