- Date Of Birth: November 19, 1938
- Date Of Death: December 1, 2021
- State: Iowa
Tom, the son of Jack and Arzetta (Hurley) Ringgenberg, was born on November 19, 1938, in Newton. He grew up in Newton and graduated from Newton High School in 1957. After high school he received an Accounting Degree from AIB and later a BA in Economics at William Penn College.
Tom’s always enjoyed playing sports. He played football and basketball in high school and met his wife while playing on a Maytag softball team. Tom enjoyed playing handball at the YMCA. He was a member of the Maytag Management Club and was on the board for the Pregnancy Center of Central Iowa and the Newton YMCA.
Tom is survived by his wife, Joyce Ringgenberg of Newton; son, Tim Ringgenberg and daughter-in-law, Marie Ringgenberg of Fountain Valley, California and their children, Tyler Ringgenberg and Andrea (Luis) Brito; son Seth (Linda) Ringgenberg of Kansas City, MO and their children, Michalea (Zach) Shanahan and Makenna Ringgenberg; his sister Linda Carpenter; cousin, Pat Reed; sister and brother-in-law, Judy and Frank Aiello; and his nieces and nephews. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, son Tony, sister Vonda Ringgenberg ,aunt, Carvalee Brooks; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law Del and Helen Grosvenor.
Music was a huge part of Tom’s life. He listened to it, sang along with it, and played the piano every morning. It was usually tunes from the 40’s and 50’s, but always asked Joyce if she wanted to hear Beethoven or Mozart for his morning concert!
He loved his kids and grands and his sense of humor was enjoyed by all and inherited by some. His life was a witness to them in kindness and morals. They never left the house without PaPa saying, “Be Careful”!
This poem personifies Toms life, author Terry Anderson. ” Den Of Lions”
FAITH
Where is faith found?
Not in a book,
Not often or for everyone.
In childish times it’s easier;
A child believes just what it’s told.
But children grow
And soon begin
To see too much
That doesn’t match
The simple tales,
And not enough
Of what’s behind
Their parents words.
There is no God,
The cynics say;
We made Him up
Out of our need
And fear of death.
And happily they offer up
There test- tube proofs.
A mystery.
The priests all say
And point to saints
Who prove their faith
and sacrifice
But what of us
Who are not saints,
Only common human sinners?
And what of those
Who in their need
And pain cry out
To God and go
On suffering?
I do not know-
I wish I did.
Sometimes I feel
All the worlds pain.
I only say
That once in my
Own need I felt
A light and warm
And loving touch
That eased my soul
And banished doubt
And let me go
On to the end.
It is not proof-
There can be none
FAITH’S what you find
When you’re alone
And find you’re not
We are so thankful and blessed by the love, care and concern shown to Tom by the paramedics, ER staff, doctors, and nurses here in Newton. They tried so hard to keep him on this earth, although God had planned this day for him and welcomed him home in a peaceful quiet transition. May God’s richest blessings be on each and everyone of them.
