Tom Brekke's Obituary
Thomas Doyle Brekke was born June 19, 1958, in Ames, Iowa to Doyle and Darlene Brekke. He graduated from Ames High School in 1977. He worked at the Department of Transportation from 1977 to 2008 and was active in the local Jaycees for over 15 years in the 80s and 90s. He met his wife Sue (Shuey) at the DOT in the summer of 1978 and immediately fell in love. After a short courtship, mostly at Grand Daddys bar in Ames, the two began dating. It wasn't long before they were in love and knew they couldn't live without one another. In the face of much familial criticism and objections, their love persisted, and they were married in May of 1980. His wit, charm, and warmth were eventually embraced by her family, and he became especially close with his father-in-law, Ken Shuey. His love for her was never in question and was obvious to anyone who knew them. They celebrated their 42nd wedding anniversary in May of this year. While he found love in the arms of his wife, his life was truly fulfilled with the births of his children, Shawn in 1983 followed by Lisa in 1987. He showed his love by being protective, encouraging, and generous, and his kids never had to question if their dad loved them. His proudest moments were watching his son graduate from Iowa State, and seeing his daughter earn her doctorate in physical therapy from Sacred Heart in Connecticut. He enjoyed going to I-Cubs games and movies with both kids, watching Shawn play slowpitch softball, and screaming at the TV when watching Packers games with Lisa. Tom had a passion for kids. Not just his own, whom he called his greatest achievements, but all kids. He was a counselor at Camp Sunnyside in the late 70s, working to help kids with disabilities far worse than his own. In the 80s and 90s he became a Little League coach for both youth baseball and softball, first coaching his nephew Jason and niece Angie (whom he regarded as close as his own kids), followed by Shawn and Lisa, he became known simply as "Coach" to many a young ballplayer. His signature move was to give every kid a nickname, mostly because he couldn't remember their actual names. Winning was never the focus, instead making sure the game was fun for every kid that played for him. He also spent many years volunteering to speak to elementary classes about bullying, acceptance, and what it was like to be disabled. In the last year of his life, he gained the title of "grandpa", and never missed the chance to spoil or show his love for his grandkids, including helping to once again coach his grandson Reed in Little League, this time alongside his son. His passion for his wife and children might have only been surpassed by his love for the Green Bay Packers. Sundays in the fall were reserved for the Packers, and he was rarely seen without a green and gold shirt or hat. He hated all things Minnesota Vikings, especially the color purple, and he loved to trade jabs with anyone who would give him a hard time about his fandom, which was just about everybody. At his best when he was cracking jokes and slinging one-liners, his good-natured side was always at the forefront of his humor. A lifelong Ames resident, Tom knew just about everyone. As his daughter-in-law, Ami, quickly found out, one can't cross the street in Ames without running into someone that knew Tom. To say he never met a stranger is an understatement. Terrible with names but never forgetting a face, if he ran into someone who knew him (an almost daily occurrence) but couldn't place the person, he'd talk to them as if they were lifelong friends, and would more than likely buy them a drink. Tom loved making sure everyone was having a good time and would foot the bill more often than not. For many years his ISU football tailgates were must-attend events, where his meat grilling prowess garnered many a faux proposal, mostly from the guys who eagerly devoured his perfectly cooked steaks and pork ribs. Never rich in money but was always rich in generosity, he had a booming voice and a personality to fit a man three times his size. Always the life of the party, he was happiest when surrounded by friends and holding court, buying drinks, giving people a hard time, and taking it right back. He could sling bull with the best of them and could talk his way out of just about anything. As his son lovingly described him, Tom was the least handicapped, handicapped person you could ever meet. Whether it was playing HORSE with Lisa, bowling in a weekly league, playing basketball or football in the street with Shawn and his friends, or attempting to skateboard and boogieboard, he sought to and succeeded in redefining people's notions of what a guy in a wheelchair could do. He refused to live a life that was defined by the disability with which he was inflicted, and his larger-than-life personality and enthusiasm were enough to ensure everyone who met him only saw him for the big-hearted man he was. His lasting legacy will be reflected in the stories and laughs shared by his friends and family; we just hope we can do him justice. He will be truly missed. Tom is survived by his wife, Sue of Ames; son Shawn (Ami) Brekke of Ames and their children; daughter Lisa Brekke of Des Moines; sister Jerri Dee Brekke of Ames, and several nieces and nephews. He was particularly close to his nephew, Jason Sorenson of Des Moines, whom he regarded as close as a son. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Mark Brekke; and his four-legged companion Cuddles. As an alternative to flowers, remembrances and memorial donations may be made to the family for use in a to-be-determined memorial in Tom's name.
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