Thomas A. Vakulskas

IN THE COURT OF FINAL REMEMBRANCE

Case No. 3630-3055-4300-2033

In Re: The Life of Thomas A. Vakulskas

FINAL ORDER AND JUDGMENT

AND NOW on this 20th day of May, 2026, the Court having reviewed the entire record, including but not limited to, decades of hard work, husbandry, patriarchy, and lifelong fandom of the New York Yankees and Iowa Hawkeyes (so long as they were winning), the Court FINDS as follows:

1.     Tom peacefully entered into eternal rest on May 20, 2026, with his family at his bedside.

2.     Tom was born on October 2, 1948, entering the world in Sioux City, Iowa, as the third child and youngest son of John and Mary Vakulskas. Tom grew up on Polack Hill, attended St. Francis grade school, and graduated from Heelan High School in 1966. After earning his bachelor’s degree at the University of Iowa and a U.S. Army commission through ROTC in 1970, he earned his law degree in 1972 at Creighton University.

3.     Tom practiced law at Wellensiek & Davis in Nebraska City, Nebraska, for two years before returning to Sioux City and eventually establishing his own law firm on March 1, 1976. He retired in 2016. Prior to being joined by all three of his children in the practice, he enjoyed practicing with Duane Hoffmeyer and Robert Rehan.

4.     Tom and the former Barbara Dagle were united in Holy Matrimony at St. Boniface Church in Sioux City on November 27, 1971. Their union was blessed with three children and seven grandchildren.

5.     Tom devoted his life to his family, through his last moments on earth. He and Barb enjoyed traveling together throughout the years, taking several Broadway theater trips with Bill Knepper of the former Morningside College. Tom passed on his love of the arts to his children. Tom also took his family on several memorable vacations in the Los Angeles area at the home of Barb’s beloved cousin, Donna Ayers. Further, Tom’s lifelong and unwavering faith in his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ helped instill the same faith in his children and grandchildren.

6.     Tom and Barb’s Iowa City condo was just desserts for their life of hard work together. They enjoyed watching games at both Kinnick Stadium and Carver-Hawkeye Arena over the years, as well as partaking in the Iowa City cultural events and reading the literature penned by graduates and faculty of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop.

7.     Tom was provided loving and compassionate care by the nursing staff at UnityPoint Health – St. Luke's in his final days and hours. That care was the answer to Tom’s lifelong prayer for a “happy death”. That care was rivaled only by the years-long care provided by Dr. Michael Jung and his exceptional team at the University of Iowa Family Medicine Center in Sioux City, as well as the late Dr. James Duggan.

8.     Tom is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Barb; children Brian Vakulskas, Molly (Eric) Joly, and Dan (Nikki) Vakulskas; grandchildren: Alainna Joly, Jack Joly, Will Joly, Landon Jenness, Samuel Vakulskas, Maddie Vakulskas, and Harry Vakulskas; his sisters, Janet Masteller and Maria Vakulskas (Ron) Rosmann; and Donna Ayers, with whom Tom shared so many memorable conversations; several nieces and nephews and clients, including all his friends at Hawkeye Adjustment Service.

9.     Tom was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Fr. John A. Vakulskas, Jr., “Number 7” Mickey Mantle, Don Adams as Maxwell Smart, Hayden Fry, George Carlin, Henry David Thoreau, Rush Limbaugh and Ronald Reagan.

10.     Although the Court reluctantly notes the physical departure of Tom on May 20, 2026, the record clearly reflects that his love, influence, and legacy remain active and enforceable into perpetuity.

IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED:

A.     That arrangements are under the direction of Christy-Smith Funeral Homes. All are welcome to attend a visitation from 4:30 until 7:00 PM on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Christy-Smith Funeral Homes - Larkin Chapel (2320 Outer Drive North, Sioux City). Fr. Peter Nguyen will preside over a Vigil service at 6:00 PM, as well as a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at 9:30 AM at Blessed Sacrament Church (3012 Jackson Street, Sioux City).

B.     That mourning shall proceed alongside storytelling, laughter, and quoting of “Dad-isms”;

C.     That Tom’s favorite traditions and movie quotes (especially those spoken by Chevy Chase characters in the 1980’s) shall continue without interruption;

D.     That the “law house” located at 1721 Jackson St., Sioux City, shall forever serve as a reminder of Tom’s work ethic.

E.     That those left behind remember Tom’s devotion to the Blessed Mother, his love of gardening, and belief that we should always treat others with the same kindness, respect, and compassion we desire for ourselves. Any memorials will be directed to the Gospel Mission or the Soup Kitchen.

F.     That Tom shall look down upon his family from his new home, purchased for him with no costs assessed, by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and that the memory of Tom be permanently etched into the hearts of all those whose lives he touched. Tom’s life on Earth is adjourned, but his legacy remains binding forever.

SO ORDERED this 20th day of May, 2026.

/s/Judge of the Earthly Experience