Thomas Ward Wehrle

Thomas Ward Wehrle, 73, of Des Moines, Iowa, passed away peacefully at home on May 5, 2025.

Tom was born on May 1, 1952, to Jack and Virginia Wehrle of Kellogg. He grew up in Kellogg surrounded by many cousins and dear friends. Tom graduated from Newton High School in 1970, after spending a year in Sweden as a foreign exchange student. He then attended the University of Northern Iowa and AIB, earning degrees in History and Computing.

Tom managed the Newton Elks Club for many years before moving to Des Moines, where he worked as a Computer Payroll Analyst at Iowa Methodist Hospital and later Mercy Hospital. He cherished the lifelong friendships he made with colleagues at both hospitals.

After retiring, Tom joined his good friend, John Nicholson, at The Tree Network. He found great joy in working outdoors with the tree crew, where his enthusiasm for nature shone brightly.

An avid Iowa Hawkeye fan, Tom was a devoted season ticket holder. He especially enjoyed his Big Ten Stadium Tour with his nephew, David. Together, they visited every stadium before the Big Ten expanded.

Tom was also a passionate dog lover, raising two German Shepherds, Hawkeye and Buck. He found immense joy in spending time with his nieces and nephews—John, Patrick (Summer), Mary Kate (Tyler), and David (Lauren)—as well as his great-nieces and great-nephews: Lexie (Zach), Drew, Adam, Reagan, Morgan, Miller, Cotter, Addison, and great-great-nieces Savannah and Sophia.

Tom was predeceased by his parents, Jack and Virginia Wehrle, and his brother-in-law, Fred Kleinfelder. He is survived by his brother, John (Bonnie) of Santa Rosa Beach, FL; his sister, Shelley Kleinfelder of Palm Coast, FL; and his sister, Sarah Burke (Jim) of Bermuda Run, NC.

A Celebration of Life will be scheduled at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made in Tom’s name to the Kellogg Historical Society, Box 295, Kellogg, Iowa 50315.