Obituaries

Alex Toms, 58 of Carroll, died peacefully, Sunday, March 4, 2012 at St. Anthony Regional Hospital in Carroll surrounded by his family.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Carroll. The Celebrant will be Fr. Timothy Johnson. Pianist for the mass will be Jake Gute with Katelyn Renze as soloist. Violinist will be Tyler Badding. Lectors will be Linda Kueper and Deanna Schoessler. Gift Bearers will be: Conrad Toms, Nolan Toms and Lindsay Toms Kastle. Eucharistic Ministers will be: Shirley Fasbender, Judy Spear, and Pat Bass. Honorary Casket Bearers will be the employees of Juergens Produce and Feed. Casket Bearers will be: Joe Kueper, Don Fasbender, Darrell Spear, Rick Keat, Gary Forke, Connie (Conrad) Schoessler, Brad Woodward, and Doug Bass. Private family graveside services will be held at a later date. Military Honors will be conducted at the church by the Carroll American Legion.
Friends may call at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll after 3:30 p.m. Wednesday where there will be a rosary prayed at 4 p.m. and a Christian Wake Service by Holy Spirit Parish at 7 p.m. The casket will be moved to Holy Spirit Church at 9 a.m Thursday where visitation will resume until time of the funeral mass.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll and online condolences may be left for Alex’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.
Born on September 19, 1953 at Carroll, Iowa, Alexander Douglas Toms was the son of Jim and Sheryl (Griffin) Toms. Alex grew up in Carroll and attended Carroll Community Schools. In May of 1971 Alex enlisted in the United States Marines Corps and was honorably discharged in November of 1976. He was united in marriage to Gayle Juergens on October 23, 1976 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Carroll. For the past 35 years, Alex was employed at Juergens Produce and Feed where he was a dedicated addition to the team of employees. Everyone who knew Alex saw a person who needed little in life to be content. When he discovered the game of golf it became his favorite way to enjoy the outdoors. Alex loved playing golf each week with his friends, and particularly enjoyed exploring new courses around Iowa. He loved working on his lawn and took great pride making sure it was perfectly manicured. Alex was always ready to lend a helping hand to a friend who needed help with a project. Most of all, he loved his family and took great joy in spending time with his grandsons; especially going swimming and playing games with them.
Alex is survived by his wife of 35 years Gayle Toms of Carroll; his children: SSGT Jeffrey Toms and his wife Stephanie of Winchester, CA, Mark Toms and his wife Katie of Carroll, and Summer Ney and her husband Adam of Rosemount, MN; three grandchildren: Conrad, Nolan, and Landon Toms, and one future grandchild; his father Jim Toms and his wife Vickie of Lake View; his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Shirley (Don) Fasbender of St. Louis, MO, Judy (Darrell) Spear of Ames, Linda (Joe) Kueper of Papillion, NE and Ron (Betty) Juergens of Carroll; as well as other relatives and many friends.
Alex was preceded in death by his mother Sheryl Ladehoff; his brother Jerry Toms; and his parents-in-law, Vernis and Wanda Juergens.