Thomas Michael Pieper

Thomas Michael Pieper, 78, of Union, Iowa, died in his home of natural causes on Monday, March 7, 2022. A visitation was held from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 12, 2022, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Eldora. Burial followed after the Mass at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in Eldora. In lieu of flowers please donate to Cedar Valley Hospice in Grundy Center.

Tom was born on Feb. 9, 1944, in Fort Dodge, Iowa. He was the eighth of nine children born to Emil and Pauline (Rodenborn) Pieper. He spent his childhood in Fort Dodge, moving to Cedar Falls, Iowa, while in high school. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1963 and was stationed at Fort Sill, Ok. In April of 1964, Tom was united in marriage to Mary Catherine Baker of Ogden, Iowa. He then served a tour of duty in Germany as a helicopter and fixed-wing airplane mechanic. Upon returning to Iowa in 1966 with their first two children, Tom and Mary eventually settled in Conrad and had five more children. In 1986 the family relocated to Union, where Tom and Mary continued to live. Tom worked most of his adult life as a mechanic. Other than his family, he loved motorcycles and racing. However, his most-loved hobby was hunting.

Tom was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Eldora, serving on the Parish Council and as a Eucharistic Minister. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the American Legion. Tom also served as the Mayor of Union, Iowa for three terms.

Tom is survived by his wife Mary Pieper of Union; children Anthony (Amy) Pieper of Beaman, Christine (Arthur) Wilder of Muscatine, Curt (Tracy) Pieper of Muscatine, Deborah (Charles) Sams of Whitten, Jean (Shawn) Voshell of Des Moines, Timothy Pieper of Union; 14 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; brother Timothy Pieper; sister Judith Lunn; and daughter-in-law Tasha (Richard) Pieper Ward of Conrad. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Joseph, John, and Daniel Pieper; sisters Paula McDermott, Joan Christensen; Jean Arroyo; and son Richard Pieper.