Thomas Theodore Guider, 81, Lansing, Iowa, died Sunday, August 5, 2018. Tom was born April 17, 1937 in Lansing, Iowa, to Myron and Kathleen (Weipert) Guider. He graduated from Immaculate Conception High School in 1955. Tom held various jobs until he joined the United States Army from 1958 to 1959. Later Tom worked as a psychiatric technician at the Mendota Mental Health Institute in Madison, Wisconsin from 1961 to 1971. This is where he met his future wife.
Tom was united in marriage with Marion Hooker on October 26, 1963, at St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church, Westport, Wisconsin. They started their family, living in Waunakee, Wisconsin. Over time, seven children were born to this union. From 1968 to 1969, Tom attended Madison Area Technical College, earning his licensed practical nursing (LPN) degree.
In 1969, Tom and Marion bought the Guider family farm, and moved to Lansing, Iowa. He spent his life working both as an LPN and working with Marion to run the farm, raising hogs, beef cattle, sheep, and crops. In 1971, Tom became employed at St. Francis Medical Center in LaCrosse, Wisconsin until 1996. In 1997, Tom returned to Mendota Mental Health Institute, working as a psychiatric technician, until he retired in 2012.
Proud of his collections, which included John Deere two-cylinder tractors, jewelry, and antiques, he was also known for raising Hereford cattle, planting tr tree conservation, where he planted 80,000 trees, and a love of travel. Trips included Russia, Ireland, Mexico, and out West. His biggest accomplishment was preserving the farm where he grew up, expanding it over time to where it is today. Dad will be remembered for his love of the land and the beautiful wife at his side.
Survivors include: five children, Susie (Ted) Roberts, Ankeny, Cathy Mulholland, Lansing, Jim (Heather) Guider, Postville, Steve (Valerie) Guider, Windsor, Wisconsin and Angie (Detrick) Steiber, Lansing. Ten grandchildren; Tyler Holmes, Danielle (Mulholland) Alvarez, Kate Mulholland and Shayla (Mulholland) Johnson, Brendan, Dustan, Jaymes and Marian Guider, and Cassidy Welsh and Lucas Guider; and one great-granddaughter, Rae LeCount. Tom is also survived by one sister, Phyllis (Jerry) Venner. LaCrosse, Wisconsin.
Tom was preceded in death by his wife, Marion; his parents; his brother, Michael; two sons, Jeff and David Guider; and granddaughter, Jessica Mulholland.
Visitation will be held from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm on Monday, August 20, 2018 at Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Lansing, Iowa.
Mass of Christian will be at 1:00 pm on Monday, August 20, 2018 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Lansing, Iowa with Rev. John Moser as the celebrant.
Burial follow at Gethsemane Cemetery, Lansing, Iowa.
Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Lansing, Iowa is helping the family with arrangements.
Memorials may be directed to the family at this address:
Susie Roberts
3210 SW Coves Dr.
Ankeny, Iowa 50023