Thomas 'Tom' Mumm
Thomas L. “Tom” Mumm, 71, passed away suddenly on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, at Meriter Hospital in Madison, from complications of Covid–19.
He was born May 7, 1949, to Carl and Delores (Adrian) Mumm. He graduated from Bloomington High School in 1967. After high school, he was drafted to the Army and served two years. He was deployed to Vietnam, serving 17 months. He received an honorable discharge with numerous honors including a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star.
Upon his return home, he married Carol A. Ploessl on Jan. 29, 1972, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bloomington. Together they had four children. They were married for 45 years until her death in 2017. Tom and Carol farmed for 17 years in rural Bloomington until Tom was injured in a farming accident in 1988. After the accident, they moved from the farm and Tom went back to school. He attended Southwest Tech, earning an associates degree in electronic servicing. After graduation, he started his own electronic servicing business. Tom also worked for the Postal Service. He started as a substitute rural carrier for Mt. Hope and Bloomington, later becoming the full-time carrier for Bloomington. He retired in 2014. Carol would become ill and he would take the role as her caregiver. He was amazing.
Tom was a lifetime member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bloomington. He was a proud member of the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic Knights, and the Abraham-Hickok-Wetmore American Legion Post No. 148. If you knew Tom growing up, then you knew his brothers Dick and Harry. They were usually into mischief! That’s probably where the saying “every Tom, Dick and Harry” came from!
For the last couple of years, Tom found happiness again with his special friend, Peggy. They had lots of fun together. They did many things together that took Tom out of his comfort zone, like traveling over seas, something he would’ve never done before. She brought back the special companionship he was missing. She made him very happy. We are forever grateful to her. Tom loved to fish and would do so whenever he had the chance. He was a big Packers, Brewers and Badgers fan. He liked to coach them too, especially when they weren’t playing well. You could probably hear him if the windows were open. When Tom and Carol were younger, they would dress up for Halloween. Tom’s costumes were memorable and unique. He was unrecognizable sometimes. Last year, for his 70th birthday, we had a party for him. We also surprised him with his old Army buddy, Ernie. They hadn’t seen each in 50 years. It was a once in a lifetime moment! Needless to say, he forgave us for the party he didn’t want.
Tom loved spending time with his family and friends. They meant everything to him. He enjoyed all the great times he spent with his “old” friends going up north on their fishing trips for over 40 years. He also enjoyed the good times with his “new” friends doing things that surprised himself. Tom adored his kids and grandkids. They were the lights of his life. He would do anything for us. He was always there for us and loved us unconditionally! We will never forget his sense of humor. He could always make us laugh. It didn’t matter what was going on. His sarcasm and one liners were classic. He always had a comeback, and he was always right.
You can rest peacefully now dad. You and mom are reunited. Probably fishing together or dancing close. We will miss you dearly until we see you again. Your memory will live on in our hearts, the stories people share and watching the Packers, Brewers and Badgers.
Tom is survived by his sons, Jason, Brian (Sharon) and Adam Mumm, Bloomington; his daughter, Kelli (Steve) Pfenning, Prairie du Chien; his beloved grandchildren, Nicholas, Logan and Alexis Mumm, Steven and Devon Pfenning; his siblings, Janice (David) Anderson, Edgerton, Cindy (Phil) Nies, Prairie du Chien, Harry (Sandy) Mumm, Dodgeville; a special sister-in-law Cheryl (Tim) Spaeth, Bloomington; his in-laws, Peg (Doug) Vanderbilt, Marcia (Scott) Stilwell, Jane (Ernie) Dallam, Sheri Ott, Jerry Ploessl, Jeff (Tara Brickson) Ploessl, Gene (Kate) Ploessl, Kevin Ploessl; and a sister-in-law Charlene Ploessl; many nieces and nephews; his special friend, Peggy Duncan and her family, Sherry (Rob Golding) Duncan, Caleb Duncan, Jonathan Duncan and Beth (Drew) Petersen.
In addition to his beloved wife, Carol, Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Delores Mumm; his father- and mother-in-law, Gerald and Dolores Ploessl; his brother, Dick Mumm; his niece, Tara Mumm-Hollander; his brothers- in-law, Bill Ploessl and Jim Kolman.
A private family Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, Dec. 10, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bloomington with Father John Meinholz officiating. Burial with military honors will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bloomington. A celebration of Tom’s life will be held at a later date. Martin Schwartz Funeral Home and Crematory in Bloomington is assisting the family.
