Thomas Swinburn

Monday, December 18, 2023 4:39 pm

Thomas Swinburn, age 58, of Decorah, passed away on Monday, Dec. 18, 2023, at his home in Decorah, after a second brave battle with cancer.

Visitation will be from 3 to 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, at the Helms Funeral Home, 306 E. Water St. in Decorah. Following the visitation, there will be a time of sharing memories.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family.

Tom was born in Moline, Ill., to Thomas and Barbara Swinburn on Nov. 22, 1965.  He was a graduate of United Township High School in East Moline and the University of Iowa. Tom was an active member of the Boy Scouts of America and earned his Eagle Scout badge.

Tom enjoyed hunting and golf, and he had a great gift for telling stories. He was also a lifelong Green Bay Packers fan and was even a shareholder in the team.

In 1999, Tom connected with the love of his life, Mary (Rude), on a trip to Cabo San Lucas with mutual friends. They had a whirlwind courtship and married in 2000. Together they had two children, Emily and Tommy. Tom loved his family above all else and was a devoted husband and father.

Tom was proud to be the chef of the family and loved grilling out on his beloved Traeger while enjoying a craft beer. More recently, even though he wasn’t feeling well, he was determined to prepare Thanksgiving dinner for his family.

Tom was employed by Moline Welding and McLaughlin Manufacturing in Moline, and most recently by Featherlite Trailers in Cresco.

Tom is survived by his wife Mary; children Tommy and Emily; father and stepmother Thomas and Doris Swinburn; sister Kelley (Dennis) McCallum; brother Paul (Kelley) Swinburn; nephews Brock Swinburn and Thomas (Madelyn) McCallum; in-laws Joan and Donn Smedsrud and family, Sue and Mike Halverson, Jeff Rude and friend Nina Rivera; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his mother Barbara Swinburn, maternal grandparents Paul and Pearl Snell, and paternal grandparents Thomas and Laverne Swinburn, stepbrother Todd Holliday, and in-laws Charles and Gen Rude, and Randy (Batman) Rude.

The family would like to thank Tom’s doctors at the Mayo Clinic and, in his final days, his hospice team for the excellent care he received.  A special thank you is also extended to Tom’s employers at Featherlite Trailers for their continued support during both of his cancer battles.

Rest well, Tom.  You have earned it.