Thomas O. "Tom" Rundquist

Thomas O. Rundquist, age 74, of Omaha, Nebraska died November 27, 2018 of complications from glioblastoma. Thomas, son of Elwin and Marzella (Bubbs) Rundquist was born July 12, 1944 in Plainview, Pierce County, NE. He attended Royal School K-12 where he was involved in band and sports. He graduated valedictorian of his class. He went on to attend Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, IA on an athletic scholarship to play baseball. Due to an injury, he transferred to the University of Nebraska at Lincoln where he completed his degree in mathematics. In 1970 he found an apartment, got his Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology, and married Shirley Nelson at Thabor Lutheran Church in Wausa, NE. They lived in Lincoln until 1973 when they moved to Omaha, where they lived until his death. They had two daughters, Laura and Jill. Tom’s employment history began with working at a fish hatchery near his hometown of Royal during high school. After college, he taught math and was a golf instructor in David City. He also worked in Lincoln at the Nebraska Center for Children and Youth (also called Whitehall) as a math instructor. He sold vacuum cleaners and insurance in Omaha, became a Guidance Counselor at Gretna Public School during regular hours and taught night classes in various areas. He taught middle school math for Millard Public Schools, where he served as department head for many years. Outside of school hours, he coached middle school football, tutored students in math. He painted the schools during the summer and was an award winning fisherman. During his retirement he loved to visit local casinos, travel, spend time with his many friends, and study the Civil War. He loved to watch live theater, listen to music, and dance. He volunteered his time to the Second Unitarian Church and served on several committees. He loved spending time with his family, frequently visiting Kansas City and Ottumwa, IA. In everything he did, he loved to make people smile- through his quirky poetry, funny stories, or telling of good (and sometimes bad) jokes. Thomas is survived by his wife, Shirley; daughter Laura (Rundquist) Waddell, son-in-law Jeffrey Waddell of Ottumwa, IA; Laura’s children Emily, Jesse and Ashley Vanderheiden; Jill Rundquist and her daughter, Regan Putnam; sister Sandy (Rundquist) Gregory and her husband Mike; sister-in-law Barbara (Johnson) Rundquist; and by several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elwin and Marzella (Bubbs) Rundquist, and his brother, Greg Rundquist. A memorial service will be held at: Second Unitarian Church; 3012 S. 119th Street; Omaha, NE 68144 on December 8, 2018 at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the American Cancer Society or to Second Unitarian Church. Braman Mortuary (Southwest Chapel) 6505 S. 144 St. Omaha, NE 68137 402-895-3400