Tom Behounek, 74 of Montezuma passed away on Tuesday, July 20, at his Montezuma home. Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 23 beginning at 10:30 am at the Chelsea Catholic Church in Chelsea.  Burial will be held at a later date.  Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 22, beginning at 3:00 pm until 6:00 pm with the family present at the Montezuma Junior High Auditorium.  Please enter through the south doors. Memorial contributions may be designated to St. Jude's Children's Hospital.  Holland-Coble Funeral Home of Montezuma is in charge of arrangements.

Thomas John Behounek was born on August 25, 1946 to Leo Emil and Mildred (Sheda) Behounek in the Corn Belt Hospital in Belle Plaine, Iowa.  He attended Chelsea Catholic School, South Tama High School and Loras College. He went on to proudly earn his MA from UNO (University of Nebraska-Omaha) and his PhD from Iowa State University.  Tom enjoyed school where he was a devoted teacher, principal, superintendent, substitute teacher, and bus driver. Here he would regale stories of his life on the farm or the bears of Minnesota!

Tom married Carol Davidson on December 14, 1985.   His fondest memories were of times spent with his grandchildren, Iowa State Fair, and seeing students' animals at the county fair.  Tom enjoyed making the yard look nice, peanut M & M's, chocolates, hot fudge sundaes and trips through the Smoky Mountains, New York City and Boston.  He loved making frequent trips to his farms.

His Glidden (IA) memories include "Blue" (Dog), hog operation, school principal and raising Jenna and Matt. His Minnesota memories include the Lone Star (boat), bears, snow, cold, and mosquitoes. His Montezuma memories include working at the school, singing in the church choir, the retaining wall, watering flowers, and being with many friends. Most of all, Tom is well-known for his passion of helping others.

Tom is survived by his wife, Carol; his children, Jenna Mistic of Park Rapids, MN, Matt (Kathy) Behounek of Kansas City, MO, Jennifer (Stephen) Collins of Fond du Lac, WI, and John (Katie) Behounek of Omaha, NE;  his siblings, Connie (Joe) Dvorak of Clutier, Clare (Tom) Burton of Omaha, Sue (John) Herriage of Marion, and Joe (Francie) Behounek of Chelsea; his grandchildren, Lindsey Mistic of Fargo, ND, Daniel Mistic and Camryn Mistic of Park Rapids, MN, Julia Behounek and Ethan Behounek of Kansas City, MO, Spencer Collins and Weston Collins of Fond du Lac, WI, and Emelyn Behounek, Emelia (Millie) Behounek, and Charles (Charlie) Behounek of Omaha, NE.  Tom will be remembered by his mother-in-law, Lillian Davidson, and numerous nephews and nieces and their children as well as close family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Mildred;  his sister, Patricia Veit, brother-in-law,  Jerry Veit;  niece,  Julia (Dvorak) Chmielewski; his father-in-law, Horace Davidson; brothers-in-law, Keith Davidson and Mark Davidson.