Thomas David Schams

Thomas ‘Tom’ D. Schams, 73, of La Crosse, passed away on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, in Gundersen Medical Center. He was born in La Crosse on April 28, 1950, to Walter and Florence (Gerke) Schams. He married Susan Johnson on May 1, 1976, in Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.

He graduated from Central High School in 1968. After high school, he went on to work construction for the Carpenters Local 1143. He worked for Quality Lumber, Bill Gilster, TCI and many more throughout his career. He enjoyed driving his own stock car in his younger years.

Tom was a loyal fan of the CHICAGO BEARS and enjoyed watching his team every season.  He also loved NASCAR and looked forward to spending time with family at the Las Vegas NASCAR race for the last 25 years.  He also had annual trips to Shakopee in July to watch the horse races with family, and visiting numerous construction sites in whatever state he was visiting. He was a proud owner of TSS Rentals, LLC and enjoyed working on his properties over the years.

He is survived by his wife Susan; daughter Melissa (Steve) Bell; son Michael (Jessica) Schams; grandchildren, Madison (Gerad Contreras) Schams, Jordan (Miranda) Schams, Chase Schams, Clayton Schams, Kaitlyn Bell, and step-grandson Tyler (Alyx) Bell, and great-grandson Elliott Thomas Schams. He is also survived by ten siblings, Jerome (Luz) Schams, Ronald (Betty) Schams, Patricia Schams, Richard (Carol) Schams, Dennis (Lois) Schams, Theresa (Bob) Skaar, Joan (Ralph) Christ, Randolph (Chris) Schams, Bernard (Sharon Dunn) Schams, and Kathy Schams; sister-in-law Barb Schams; brothers and sisters-in-law, Kathy (Butch) Engh, Barbara Peterson, Kendra (Dan) Riek, David (Vicki) Johnson, and Danny (Barb) Johnson, and many nieces and nephews.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, sister Phyllis, brothers Duane, Sonny, and Russell; mother-in-law and father-in-law Kenneth and Pat Johnson.

A Prayer Service will be held at 12:00 PM on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Blaschke & Schneider Funeral Home, 1501 West Ave. South, La Crosse. Rev. Billy Dodge will officiate with a private family burial to take place in Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Family and friends may visit from 10:00 AM until the time of services on Wednesday at the Funeral Home. There will be a celebration of life on Sunday, April 28, 2024, from Noon to 4:00 PM at Nick’s Bar in Barre Mills.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to his daughter-in-law Jessica Schams, and the rest of the caring ER and ICU staff at Gundersen Medical Center.  He will be sadly missed more than words can say.