Thomas Nygren, 83, passed away Tuesday, May 21, 2019, at the VA Health Care Hospital in Des Moines. Visitation will be on Sunday, June 2, 2019, from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m., at Ankeny Funeral Home (1510 W. First Street Ankeny, IA 50023). Burial at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery will take place at a later date.
Thomas Dean was born on April 18, 1936, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, to George and Marjorie (Bocock) Nygren. They moved to Des Moines in 1941. Thomas attended the Tech High School in Des Moines before enlisting in the United States Navy on August 23, 1954. He was honorably discharged after serving 10 years in the Navy. Thomas was united in marriage to Judy May on October 12, 1963 in Princeton, Missouri. They welcomed three children: Paul, Tony and Pamalee.
Thomas worked at Firestone for seventeen years before going to work for the DOT where he eventually retired from. He was a past master of the Acanthus Mason Lodge, and a member of the firefighters unit of the Shriners. Thomas and Judy enjoyed going on motorcycle trips, watching the stock car races in Boone and he also went fishing in his free time. They attended many sporting events and dance recitals for their eleven grandchildren and children over the years.
Thomas leaves behind his wife, Judy; children: Paul (Rhonda) Nygren, Tony Nygren and Pamalee (Jeff) Davis, all of Ankeny; his sister, Carol (Mike) Kelaher of Altoona, eleven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; and a sister-in-law, BonaDean Feller of Marquette, along with many extended family members. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Onlince condolences and memories may be shared on Thomas’ page at www.ankenyfuneralhome.com.
