Obituary of Thomas D Sundblad

Thomas (Tom) Dean Sundblad, age 66 of Iowa City, Iowa died on Wednesday May 31, 2017, at the University of Iowa Hospital after a courageous battle with Mylofibrosis.  Tom lead a very active lifestyle, this allowed him to fight strong for 2.5 years following a stem cell transplant.  He endured countless hospital stays, procedures and 20 years fighting until God called him home.

There will be a time of visitation from 6:30-8:30pm on Saturday June 3 at Parkview Church in Iowa City. Funeral services will begin at 2pm Sunday June 4, 2017 at the Parkview Church in Iowa City.  In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made in Tom’s memory to one of the following, “Be The Match” (Bone Marrow Donation Fund) Heritage Christian School in North Liberty or the Bird House, Hospice Home of Johnson County. For the opportunity to share a condolence, thought or memory with his family please go to the funeral home website @ www.gayandciha.com .  Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Tom’s family and his services.

Thomas Dean Sundblad the son of Dean and Vivian Sundblad, was born in Albert City, Iowa December 28, 1950.  After graduating from Albert City High School in 1969 he went on to Trinity College for 2 years and transferred and finished his studies graduating from the University of Iowa.  He graduated with a degree in Social Work and a minor in Psychology.  After graduating from the University of Iowa Tom worked at the Oakdale Classification Center.  He later went on to work at 3 Crosses Ranch at Strawberry Point working with troubled youth.

On August 19, 1978 Tom married Mary Beth Collins in Iowa City, Iowa.  They were blessed with two children: Nate and Mindy.  Tom was a skilled carpenter and bee keeper.  He owned and operated R&S Construction, Sunrise Construction and S&S Window Treatments.  In 1985, Tom and Mary and Bernard “Pick” and Pat Collins started Stuff Etc.  Tom built several of the Stuff Etc buildings throughout the years and was their “go to” guy for almost everything.  His carpentry skills will live on through his son, son-in-law, grandsons and many others.  He truly was gifted with these skills and could fix or build anything.  Tom’s shop was open and home to anyone in need.  Tom had a passion for the outdoors.  He loved biking, camping, kayaking and canoeing.  He rode RAGBRAI 6 times, doing the 100 mile day each year.  Tom was a longtime member of Parkview Evangelical Free Church, where he was a deacon and lent his carpentry skills many times throughout the years.  Tom loved his grandchildren.  He loved exploring the outdoors, attending their events, teaching them his craft and travelling with them.  But first and foremost Tom loved the Lord.  “Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.” Philippians 4:4-5