"Carol and family: So sorry to read about Tom?s passing. Tom was such a great guy. May you all hold your favorite memories of Tom very close to your great as he will always be with you and your memories. Leslie McAreavy (formerly Leslie Lawson)"
In loving memory of
Thomas F. "Tom" Breuch
July 3, 1941 - January 5, 2023
Livestream of Services in Minnesota: https://youtu.be/ie7weOx2GSI
Thomas Frederick Breuch, 81, of Oak Park Heights, MN, and formerly of Maquoketa, IA, died January 5, 2023, at the University of Minnesota Hospital (Minneapolis) during emergency heart surgery.
Tom was born to Frederick and Bernice Breuch (Hoverson) in Madison, WI, on July 3, 1941. He graduated from Madison West High School in 1959 and majored in Zoology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, graduating in 1963.
After being drafted, Tom immediately enlisted in order to join the Army Medical Corps, and he received a direct commission as a Second Lieutenant in 1965. As an officer he was stationed at Fort Sam Houston, TX, and at the 58th Missile Defense Unit based at Fort Snelling in Minneapolis until receiving orders for Vietnam in 1966. There he served as a Medical Platoon Leader and Executive Officer of field hospitals at Long Binh and An Khe, Vietnam, from October, 1966 to October, 1967. Upon return to the United States, he was assigned to Fort Leonard Wood, and was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain in March of 1968.
Tom met Carol Shumate in Minneapolis in 1966. They were married August 17, 1968, in Davenport, IA.
After graduating from the University of Iowa School of Law in 1971, Tom joined the law practice of Schoenthaler, Schoenthaler & Roberg in Maquoketa, IA. He opened his own office in 1976 and was a sole practitioner in Maquoketa until retirement in 2013. In addition to counseling his own clients, he served as the Jackson County Juvenile Court Judge for several years and was the City Attorney for several small towns around Maquoketa.
He served on Boards of Trustees for the Maquoketa Utility Board, Maquoketa YMCA and Maquoketa Art Experience, providing legal counsel at their inceptions. He was also a member of the Board of the Maquoketa Area Foundation, and for more than 40 years served on the Maquoketa Library Board of Trustees. Tom was a long-time member of the United Church of Christ in Maquoketa.
Devoted to his family, he especially delighted in his four grandchildren; he and Carol recently relocated from Iowa to Minnesota in order to be closer to their family. Tom loved talking to people about little things, big ideas and current events, and learning their stories. Tom had a wonderful sense of humor and a big laugh, an abundance of common sense, and was a friend to all. As much as he loved the people and places where he lived, he was always "From Wisconsin," from the lakes in Madison to the beaches in Door County. And, was a fan of the Wisconsin Badgers and Green Bay Packers through thick and thin.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by wife Carol Shumate Breuch of Oak Park Heights, MN; sons Peter (Lee-Ann) of Arden Hills, MN, and Tyler (Toby) of Plymouth, MN, and grandchildren Emily and Coen, Violet and Lucy; sister and brother-in-law Barbara and Richard Weaver of Madison, WI, brother- and sister-in-law Craig and Nancy Shumate of Seattle, WA; nieces and nephews Karen Bex (Robert), David Weaver (Tami), Mark Weaver (Lisa), Rachel Koller (Izaak),and Jaclyn Held (Peter); five great-nieces and two great-nephews.
Celebration of Life Services will take place on January 28, 2023, at St. Michael's Lutheran Church (1660 County B Road W, Roseville, MN; visitation at 10 a.m., service at 11 a.m., with a lunch to follow). An additional service will be scheduled later this spring in Maquoketa, IA. The ashes will be interred at Forest Hill Cemetery in Madison, WI.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation in Tom's name to the charity of your choice, or to: Maquoketa Library Foundation, www.maquoketa.lib.ia.us/, Maquoketa Art Experience, www.maquoketa-art.org/, Maquoketa Area Family YMCA Annual Campaign, www.ymcaimv.org/maquoketa/, Jackson County Veterans' Memorial Park, Steve Lucke, 11823 Hwy 62, Maquoketa, IA 52060, or the Maquoketa United Church of Christ, www.maqucc.org.
The Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa is caring for the family locally. Online Condolences may be left at www.CarsonAndSon.com.
Tributes
"Carol and family you have our condolences for the loss of a great man. Every time we'd go to the law office carol and Tom spent more taking to us than spending time on our law business. He will be sadly missed. Dick and Linda Merrick "
"So very sorry for your loss. Tom always had a smile when we would see him. We enjoyed our visits and trusted him to always do right by us."
"Back in the golden 50?s Tom and I lived a Block apart and went to west high together We lost track of each other over the years but spent some good days together when we were kids living on lake mendota. Always a great guy and fun to be with. Condolences to family. we lost a good one??"
"So sorry Breuch family for your loss"
"He was a great man he will be deeply missed!"
"We are saddened to hear of Tom's passing. He was always so friendly and helpful. We send our deepest sympathy to Carol, Tyler, Peter, and family. We pray that your fond memories uplift you, and that God floods you with his peace and love. Wayne and Nancy Wagoner"
"Carol and family, We were shocked to hear of Tom's passing. Alice and I will always remember what a kind man Tom was and all the wonderful advice he gave us as our attorney. Brown Bag Lunch is not the same without the two of you. May God Bless All of Your Family."
"Carol and family, my deepest condolences in the loss of Tom."
"Great man. I have a son cause of this man. I bought my house cause of this man. I probably wouldn't be here if it wasn't for this man.?? God Bless"
"Carol and family, so sorry to hear about Toms passing. Please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers.. Dennis and Gay Storlie "
"Carol and family, Darrel and I could not believe reading that Tom had passed away. He was a gentleman who was an asset to Maquoketa. You have our love and sympathy"
"I am saddened to learn of Tom's passing. He handled our family's legal needs so well and Carol assisted too. He was definitely a friend. My sympathy to Carol and their family.?"
"Carol and family so sorry to hear of Tom's passing. My prayer to you and your family."
"Tom was a wonderful member of our community - a great family man and friend to everyone. My sympathies to your family."