Thomas A. Evans
October 18, 1940 – March 6, 2025
Thomas A. Evans entered the world on a crisp fall day, October 18, 1940, in Brookings, South Dakota, and exited it on a gloomy winter day, March 6, 2025, in Omaha, NE. He is survived by his wife, Brenda Bergman-Evans; children: Mike Evans (Amber), John Evans (Amy), Amy Pelowski; children by marriage, Heather Matthies (Grant) and Heidi Hong (Peter); sisters, Kathie Miller and Nancy Evans; twelve grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life for family and friends is planned for Sunday, March 16, 2025, from 2:00pm to 4:00pm at the West Center Chapel, 7805 W Center Rd., Omaha, NE 68124
His early childhood, elementary school and first two years of high school were spent in Pierre, South Dakota. Throughout his life, he remained in contact with many of his friends and classmates from Pierre, even attending several significant class reunions there. He graduated from Lincoln High School in Lincoln, NE in 1958. Tom was a proud supporter of the U.S. Military Service and was honorably discharged from both the U.S. Air Force and Army Reserves, achieving the rank of Major.
Tom was one of the first male nurse graduates from Nebraska Methodist School of Nursing in Omaha, and completed his Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) education at St. Joseph CRNA Certificate Program. He met his first wife and the mother of his children, Miche Arnold, in nursing school. He proudly practiced the art for 30 years primarily in Fremont and Omaha, NE, and Shenandoah, Iowa. He spent the final years of his work life as a small business owner including local Dairy Queen and Zesto establishments.
Throughout his life he combined hobby interests with business. His love of music of all genres from disco to Opera led him to provide DJ services in the 1980s. He also bought and restored antiques and collected Roseville pottery throughout life. He especially loved participating for more than a decade in the Junk Jaunt.
Thomas truly believed helping others. He provided small loans and seed money and backing that allowed them to make a down payment on a house, start a business, or get a new roof. He knew and loved cars from the famous “Junker” to the latest and greatest SUV. His knowledge of where to get the best hamburgers, Mexican food, pizza and margaritas is well respected by his family and friends. He also loved NE football and proudly supported them for almost 70 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents, T. Allen Evans and Francis Talbot; infant sons, Tim and Tom; brother, David; brother-in-law, Jim Miller; great- grandson, Braxton; and as any 84-year-old, many aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents.
Because he loved his dogs, especially Coco so much, please consider a memorial to the Nebraska Humane Society or Omaha Dog Rescue
Heafey-Hoffmann-Dworak-Cutler, West Center Chapel, 7805 West Center Road, Omaha, Ne 68124. (402)-391-3900. www.heafeyheafey.com
8 Comments
Tom was a great neighbor and always ready with a helpful suggestion. I will miss his words of wisdom.
Tom was my last living brother-in-law and miss him.
Always will remember the stories he told of working winter months when the First Dairy Queen was closed. Being a taxi cab driver and he was driving past His Dairy Queen and told his passenger, “ I own that Dairy Queen” the passenger said, “O, Yea, Sure .” Tom did’t believe that they believed him.
I thought about Tom this past Valentine’s Day, one or more years Tom dressed in a Tuxedo and delivered flowers for a floral shop in Omaha. I had wished he was still well enough to do that.
When I was at Tom and Brenda’s in December, Tom told me he was researching vehicles and had decided to sell his pickup and get an SUV, made me smile that on my last visit Tom had a new SUV in the garage. Good for you my friend that was 84 years old. Rest in Peace, the pain is gone. Love, Jan
We are so sorry for your loss he lived a very similar life as my father following the CRNA in Omaha you are all in our prayers
Well of course it’s always hard to lose your Dad, and this certainly is no different, it just happened a bit more quickly than expected for me. I will miss our talks about Husker football and of course, the weather. I appreciate your example of work-ethic and always having a “side-gig” to have a little fun with and maybe make a few bucks, i.e. antiques. I learned to love music listening to your 8 tracks in the late 60’s- Simon & Garfunkel and Three Dog Night paved the way. I love a good pizza as well,- started at Andy’s in the early years in Fremont. Also, my introduction to “Lake-Life” came from my youth at our cabin at Woodcliff- I still love the lake to this day. Of course, we had a dog when I was growing up. I still do, and I can truly relate to loving dogs and taking care of animals like you did. Thank you for that, until we meet again, RIP Dad. Love you.
I am very saddened to hear this news. I went from working for Tom to buying a couple of his businesses from him. I will definitely miss his pop ins at Zesto for a burger, rootbeer float and a nice chat. Prayer going out for his family and loved ones
Dear Brenda and Family, my deepest sympathy in the loss of your husband and father. My prayers are with you in this difficult time time.
Mike and Family. So sorry about your loss. Prayers. Your Dad was a good man, Father and Patriot.
Condolences from one of Tom’s neighborhood pals in Pierre, SD, in the 1950s. Tom and I reconnected about 10 years ago after discovering we were living only a few miles apart.
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