Thomas Lincoln Bartleson

Thomas Lincoln Bartleson, 83, of Roach, Missouri, formerly of Forest City, Iowa, passed away Saturday, November 20, surrounded by his family. Thomas was born February 12, 1938, to Carl Anton (Tony) and Sophia (Hill) Bartleson in Forest City, Iowa. Thomas was the sixth child of nine born to this couple. Thomas lived his entire childhood in Forest City where he enjoyed hunting, fishing and any sporting activity. Tom was an excellent athlete and played in every sport offered in high school. After graduating from high school in 1956 Tom moved to Cedar Falls, Iowa to attend Iowa State Teachers’ College now known as the University of Northern Iowa. While he was attending college he was the captain of the golf team and loved hanging out with his Phi Sigma Epsilon fraternity brothers. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and was also a member of the golf team. Tom continued his golfing success after college winning many Northern Iowa tournaments. Tom married his high school sweetheart, Susan (Hill), and they were united in marriage on August 9, 1959. When Tom completed college he joined Sue in teaching school at Gladbrook, Iowa, for two years where he taught math. After this they returned home to Forest City where Tom began working in the family construction business, Forest City Improvement Company, with his father, brothers, and many uncles and cousins. Born to this union were Anthony Merle and Stephen Thomas. They supported and encouraged their children through their years, and after college the boys returned to Forest City to partner in numerous construction entities from the late 1980’s until present. Tom’s legacy of building can be seen throughout the North Iowa area, as many of the churches, schools, and Waldorf College buildings in Forest City were built by Forest City Improvement Company or the Masonry Companies he was part of with his sons. In 2005, Tom and Sue moved to the Lake of the Ozarks in South Central Missouri. Tom loved sitting with Sue on the deck and watching the wildlife and other activities occurring on the river. He also loved the times when his children, and especially grandchildren, would change his peaceful paradise into a chaotic one. Tom loved to go antiquing while in Forest City and would travel all over to find treasures for their antique shop. Tom and Sue also enjoyed going to auctions and garage sales, looking for their next big find. They truly loved the hunt for Hallmark ornaments. Tom is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Susan, his two children Anthony (Misty) of Forest City, Iowa, Stephen of Lake Mills, Iowa, six grandchildren, Chelsea (Zach) of Forest City, IA., Natessa (Jordan) Westerberg of Denver, Colorado, Miranda (Jacob) Nolton of Rochester, MN, Mitchel Bartleson (Sarah Schloemer) of Altoona, IA, Paige (Andrew) Nicholas of Clear Lake, IA, and Gabrielle Bartleson of Clear Lake, IA, great grandchildren, Harlow and Dempsey Frederick, Delanie Schloemer and Liam Bartleson, Estelle and William Nicholas, and Ellis Westerberg. His two sisters, Vivian McAdams (Dee Jay), of Greenview, MO., and Judy (Dave) Bengston, Scotts Valley, CA., and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Thomas was preceded in death by his three brothers, Arlo, (infancy), Robert, and Hanford, three sisters, Carol Bartleson, Helen Wiederanders, and Sylvia Van Werden, his in-laws Merle and Edna Hill, and Ron and Joan Langerud. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Bartleson Scholarship Fund at Waldorf University or Immanuel Lutheran Church. Celebration of Life services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, November 29, 2021 in the Immanuel Lutheran Church of Forest City, Iowa. Interment will be held at a later date. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until time of service at 11:00 a.m. Monday, November 29, 2021 in the Immanuel Lutheran Church of Forest City, Iowa. Arrangements are under the direction of Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville / St. Robert.

Thomas Lincoln Bartleson

February 12, 1938 - November 20, 2021