William ‘Tom’ Rechsteiner

William “Tom” Rechsteiner, 73, of Carlsbad, California, formerly of Lenox, passed away Tuesday, April 18, 2017, at his home in Carlsbad, California.

Mass of Christian burial services will be 3:30 p.m. Saturday, April 22, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Lenox with Father Lazarus Kirigia as Celebrant. Interment will be in North Fairview Cemetery in Lenox. Family will receive friends from 3 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the church. Memorials may be directed to the Rechsteiner Fund for Needy Families c/o of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 600 W. Michigan St., Lenox, IA 50851. Pearson Family Funeral Service and Cremation Center is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.pearsonfuneralhomes.com.

William Thomas (Tom) Rechsteiner passed away peacefully at his home in Carlsbad, California, surrounded by his family Tuesday, April 18, after battling an extended illness. Tom lived a full life, which originated with humble beginnings in his small hometown of Lenox. His mother, Pearl, birthed him at their family home in Lenox and Tom would spend the next 57 years living and working to better his community. At age 16, he met the love of his life, Wanda Lee (Toni) Hauser. They married young and had their two children, Shellie and Dave, in their youth, which allowed Tom to spend his entire adult life building his business with Toni at his side raising their family, working outside jobs and assisting in the business.

Tom had no high school or college degree, but he was no stranger to success. A natural athlete, he was scouted by a pro-baseball recruiter as a high school kid. He never lost his love for baseball and was a big fan and supporter of the Lenox Tigers and Kansas City Royals. Until his health prohibited it, he could also be found on the golf course with buddies playing the sport he loved the most. His professional life was dedicated to the business he helped build in Lenox. He started at Sheridan Egg as a youth sweeping floors after school. He managed the company as a young adult, and in 1983, purchased the business from Jerry Sheridan. By 1991, the company’s growth and innovation warranted a merger with Papetti’s from New Jersey, and a new facility was built in Lenox. At the time of its construction, it was the largest egg processing facility in the country and Tom’s ingenuity, tenacity and hard work earned him a 1991 State of Iowa “Entrepreneur of the Year” finalist award. In 1997, Tom and Toni sold the company to Michael Foods and moved to Kansas City, Missouri. By 2011, Tom was able to retire full-time to California and enjoy more time with family and friends, and focus on his golf game.

Tom adored Toni and her well-being was his primary focus until his last day. His grandchildren brought him great joy and he was extremely proud of all of them.

Tom is preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Pearl Rechsteiner; sister Loretta Hatton and numerous aunts and uncles.

He is survived by his wife Toni; daughter Shellie Dunlap (husband Dan); son David Rechsteiner; grandchildren, David Dunlap (wife Sara), Brian Dunlap (wife Melissa), Drew Dunlap, Ashlie Dunlap (fiancé Steve Nanino), Kaylin Buck (husband Justin), Abbie Rechsteiner and Austin Rechsteiner; three great-granddaughters, Madison, Kyrin and Delilah Pearl; his sister Helen Rainforth (husband Larry); nephews, Vince Rainforth (wife Melissa), Lance Rainforth, Tom Hatton and Todd Hatton (wife Ronda); lifelong best friend David Hale (wife Becky); along with many friends and golf buddies.