Thomas Rouchka, 65

August 1, 1960 - 

July 24, 2026

 

Thomas "Tom" J. Rouchka, 65, of Belmond, IA, passed away, July 24, 2026, following courageous, faith filled, and valiant four-year battle with cancer.  Public Mass of Christian Burial was Thursday, July 30, 2026, 10:30 AM, at the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 1207 3rd Street Northeast, Belmond, IA. Public visitation was Wednesday at the church from 4-6 PM, with a Parish Rosary Service at 3:30 PM prior to the visitation commencing. Public visitation continued at the church Thursday from 9:30 am until the time of the funeral.  Tom was layed to rest at the Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery in Cresco, Iowa, at 11:30 AM Friday.  Family and friends  gathered at Tricky's in Elma, IA, following the burial.  Tom's family suggest those wishing to express their sympathy through a memorial in his memory consider the St. Francis Knights of Columbus, Holms Christmas Club, St. Croix Hospice, or the donor's choice.

   Tom's life journey written in his own words....

  Thank you for supporting my family today.

I was raised on a dairy and livestock farm with 5 siblings in Howard County, IA. It was a wonderful way to grow up. My parents stressed 3 things: God, home and community.  Despite my best efforts (lol). It was the underlying basis for my life.  After graduating high school in Cresco, IA, I attended college with the benefit of an instrumental music scholarship, eventually graduating with a business degree from Loras College in Dubuque, IA. 

    I returned home for a year to help my family close out their farming operation as my father suffered a debilitating lung disease.  I applied to graduate school and began searching for work. On a return trip from a job interview in Des Moines, I stopped to see a friend in Belmond who was working for Eaton Corp.  Needing work to pay for school I applied at Eaton and was hired.  Best decision I ever made. Within a year I met and married my lovely wife, Deb Mikesh, a beautiful. spirited Czech gal that was my wonderful wife for over 40 years. Deb was the heart and soul of our family and kept me grounded.

    With Deb's support I was an active participant in the Belmond UMC and St. Francis Xavier Parish. I served on boards, lectored, and did liturgical music, taught religious ed classes and led a youth ministry program and activities. Like my father and uncle in my home parish at Our Lady of Lourdes became a third-degree Knight at SFX Belmond.

     Sundays were special for our family. Three generation meals after service were common. Afternoons and evenings were filled with yard games, fishing, trips to the woods for "Adventure hikes", canoeing and general family mayhem. In the late fall and winter when not outside, we took indoor games like hide and seek to a new level.

     I loved coming home for lunch when the girls were young. Great joy to be greeted at the door by our children. Deb and I purchased an adjacent acre behind our home. We developed it into a large garden and wooded area for our family to enjoy.

     Gardening as a family was a big part of our life. We sold propagated plants and produce.  It was a great way for Deb and I to live in town as we both were farm kids and it provided an opportunity to teach our daughters good work ethics.  As our family grew so did our family activities. Music, sports, drama and Popcorn Nights went along with family vacation trips to the East coast, Colorado backpacking trips, professional baseball games and vacation sites in Iowa and the Midwest.

      I enjoyed local service like Community Band, playing Taps with the honor guard for Vet's funerals, Trees Forever, helping build the city campground and trail, Planning and Zoning board, and SFX Knights of Columbus charitable activities.  All provided blessings like friendships and long-term benefits for the community.

     God Bless and keep you all! Pax Christi.

     Tom's life and legacy will continue to live on in the hearts and minds of all who had the privilege of crossing in his life journeys including his wife and life partner of 40 years Debra, Belmond, IA, daughters Kelley (Chase) Felchle, Waterloo, IA, and Andrea (Craig) Nelson and their children: Luke, Henry and Evangeline, Mason City, IA; sisters: Kathy (Tim) Gansen), Jan (Jim) Evenstad, Mary Jane Rouchka, and Christina (Gary) Griffith; brother-in-law Mike (Joyce) Gansen; mother-in-law Wanda Mikesh and many nieces and nephews.

     He was greeted in heaven by his parents Chester and Marian Rouchka, sister Elizabeth Gansen and father-in-law Charles Mikesh.

     Andrews Funeral Home, Belmond, IA. http://www.andrewfuneralhomeandfloral.

com  641-444-4474.