Thomas Mathias Wageman
January 26, 1952 — April 22, 2024
Thomas Mathias Wageman, son of John C. and Margaret (Schomers) Wageman, was born on January 26, 1952, in Harlan, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Westphalia and attended school in Westphalia/Defiance. He graduated from Harlan Community High School in 1970, where he led the baseball team to its first ever state tournament appearance in 1969. He slugged seven home runs in regional play and pitched every game, including getting the nod against Cedar Rapids Kennedy in state semifinals.
On October 9, 1971, Tom was united in marriage to Teresa Graeve at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Earling. Four children were born to this union: Chad, Julie, Sam, and Sara. After their marriage, the couple lived in a house in Harlan, then Westphalia where they had great neighbors, and then built a house along Highway 59 to be close to the farm. Tom worked many jobs to support his family, including Iowa Western Pork and farming.
Tom began playing town team baseball for the Westphalia Red Sox in 1970, was named MVP of the 1976 Harvest Tournament, went on to become the league’s all-time leader in home runs, and had a special bond with his Red Sox teammates. Dugout stories included lots of tales about where the ball landed and how many home runs were hit in one ballgame; then there’s, “I got it, I got it!” He is considered by many to be one of the best and/or the best hitter in the league’s legendary history. His passion and love for baseball was insurmountable. He wore #6 in honor of one of his idols, Bill Russell, and the number has been worn since by his children and grandchildren. Baseball was also where he impacted so many kids' lives in the Shelby County area as a coach. He knew how to motivate each kid in a special way, and the stories from those he coached always left a lasting impression on him. Upon retiring in 1994, and several times after, Tom took up umpiring the game and continued to enjoy the camaraderie for many years. His sharp memory and stories of the game are legendary, and he loved talking about the players from each generation and how they compared to one another.
Aside from playing the game of baseball, Tom was a great basketball player and remained involved by reffing town team basketball, creating more bonds. Tom enjoyed attending his children and grandchildren’s sporting events. He loved watching Yankees, Celtics, Gunsmoke, and couldn’t get enough of everything Muhammad Ali. He definitely has the record for seeing “Thrilla in Manilla” and the “Rumble in the Jungle” the most times in history. His other hobbies included farming, playing Pitch and 500, and drinking chocolate milk by the gallon. Tom liked to listen to rock n’ roll music, especially The Beatles on high volume, and enjoyed a good cheeseburger and fries. Tom had a big heart, humble personality, and dry sense of humor. His classic and infectious laugh will be remembered by all of us.
He passed away on Monday, April 22, 2024 in Bennington, Nebraska, at the age of seventy-two. Tom was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his longtime friend, Teresa, children Chad Wageman of Alton, Illinois, Julie (Kyle) Funk of Portsmouth, Iowa, Sam (Emily) Wageman of Elkhorn, Nebraska, Sara Wageman of Elkhorn, Nebraska, nine grandchildren, sisters Joann (Jim) Hodapp of Westphalia, Iowa, Donna (Jim) Tamura of Kapolei, Hawaii, Karen (Rick) Carroll of Omaha, Nebraska, Cheryl Christiansen of Papillion, Nebraska, and Dan (Boone) (Aileen) Wageman of Wahoo, Nebraska, nieces and nephews, and other family members and friends.
The family of Tom requests that attendees of the visitation celebrate Tom by wearing Boston Celtics, New York Yankees, Muhammad Ali, Iowa Hawkeyes, or Westphalia Red Sox gear.
On October 9, 1971, Tom was united in marriage to Teresa Graeve at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Earling. Four children were born to this union: Chad, Julie, Sam, and Sara. After their marriage, the couple lived in a house in Harlan, then Westphalia where they had great neighbors, and then built a house along Highway 59 to be close to the farm. Tom worked many jobs to support his family, including Iowa Western Pork and farming.
Tom began playing town team baseball for the Westphalia Red Sox in 1970, was named MVP of the 1976 Harvest Tournament, went on to become the league’s all-time leader in home runs, and had a special bond with his Red Sox teammates. Dugout stories included lots of tales about where the ball landed and how many home runs were hit in one ballgame; then there’s, “I got it, I got it!” He is considered by many to be one of the best and/or the best hitter in the league’s legendary history. His passion and love for baseball was insurmountable. He wore #6 in honor of one of his idols, Bill Russell, and the number has been worn since by his children and grandchildren. Baseball was also where he impacted so many kids' lives in the Shelby County area as a coach. He knew how to motivate each kid in a special way, and the stories from those he coached always left a lasting impression on him. Upon retiring in 1994, and several times after, Tom took up umpiring the game and continued to enjoy the camaraderie for many years. His sharp memory and stories of the game are legendary, and he loved talking about the players from each generation and how they compared to one another.
Aside from playing the game of baseball, Tom was a great basketball player and remained involved by reffing town team basketball, creating more bonds. Tom enjoyed attending his children and grandchildren’s sporting events. He loved watching Yankees, Celtics, Gunsmoke, and couldn’t get enough of everything Muhammad Ali. He definitely has the record for seeing “Thrilla in Manilla” and the “Rumble in the Jungle” the most times in history. His other hobbies included farming, playing Pitch and 500, and drinking chocolate milk by the gallon. Tom liked to listen to rock n’ roll music, especially The Beatles on high volume, and enjoyed a good cheeseburger and fries. Tom had a big heart, humble personality, and dry sense of humor. His classic and infectious laugh will be remembered by all of us.
He passed away on Monday, April 22, 2024 in Bennington, Nebraska, at the age of seventy-two. Tom was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his longtime friend, Teresa, children Chad Wageman of Alton, Illinois, Julie (Kyle) Funk of Portsmouth, Iowa, Sam (Emily) Wageman of Elkhorn, Nebraska, Sara Wageman of Elkhorn, Nebraska, nine grandchildren, sisters Joann (Jim) Hodapp of Westphalia, Iowa, Donna (Jim) Tamura of Kapolei, Hawaii, Karen (Rick) Carroll of Omaha, Nebraska, Cheryl Christiansen of Papillion, Nebraska, and Dan (Boone) (Aileen) Wageman of Wahoo, Nebraska, nieces and nephews, and other family members and friends.
The family of Tom requests that attendees of the visitation celebrate Tom by wearing Boston Celtics, New York Yankees, Muhammad Ali, Iowa Hawkeyes, or Westphalia Red Sox gear.
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