Thomas Herman Struecker was born July 8, 1949 to John and Dawn (Vaudt) Struecker. Attending Seneca and Sentral Schools prepared him well for Iowa State University, where he received a degree in animal husbandry. While in college he married his high school sweetheart, Hollee Edith Krause on November 27, 1970 and their marriage endured just shy of 50 years. Their union welcomed three children; Michele, Nathan, and Micaya.
Tom worked as a soil conservationist in Mount Ayr, Allison, and Denison, Iowa, before moving back to farm in rural Fenton. Tom had a plethora of hobbies and interests. An appreciation of the outdoors and hunting started at an early age and remained a constant. Stamp collecting, reading history, playing cribbage and poker were winter activities that persisted throughout his life, together with golf, music, and dancing. Yet travel seemed to be essential for Tom. While walking beans, he would plan road trips across North America for the family’s August adventure. One tent plus every campground, national park, museum, or point of interest in Canada, the lower 48, and parts of Mexico were explored. After the kids ventured off for lives of their own, his solo travels began; eventually wandering around every inhabited continent. He surveyed most of Europe, where Prague was noted in his opinion as the most beautiful and pristine spot. The blue seas of the Caribbean beckoned him to snorkel and scuba dive. Australia was traversed around the coastline and into the outback. More recently, accompanied by Connie, Tom ventured to Alaska and enjoyed playing poker on a cruise through Southeast Asia, shortly before the discovery of pancreatic cancer. Although Tom relished his globetrotting, he always returned to the land that gave him purpose and respite.
After taking part in his last harvest, Thomas Struecker died on October 26, 2026 in hospice care. Left to remember the stories of Tom’s life are his children; Michele & Keith Espe, Nathan & Danielle Struecker, Micaya & Dallas Wiener; grandchildren, Noelle Wiener, Waverly Espe, Malea Wiener, Sydnee Struecker, Haidyn Wiener, Thomas Espe, Blake Struecker, and Violet Espe; brother, Timothy & Diane Struecker; as well as many cousins, friends, and fellow travelers he met along the way.
Per Tom’s wishes, no formal services will be held. Lentz Funeral Home of Algona is assisting the family.
