Thomas John Alberts, age 62, of Decorah, Iowa, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at his home in Decorah.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at Helms Funeral Home, 306 E Water Street, Decorah, Iowa 52101. A prayer service and military honors will be held at 1:15 p.m. at Helms Funeral Home. 

A celebration of life will be held following the services on Saturday afternoon at Silvercrest Country Club, 2772 College Drive, Decorah, Iowa.

Tom was born to James and Imelda (Sutton) Alberts on February 10, 1964, in Decorah, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Benedict's Catholic Church in Decorah. Tom graduated from Decorah High School in 1982. He later joined the Navy, serving four years. Tom then attended NIACC in Mason City, where he studied HVAC. He worked in the HVAC field for over 30 years, mostly working for Winona Heat and Vent. Tom married Debra Gielow on October 6, 2001, and had two children. Tom was a rock-solid husband, tending to Debbie during her long battle with cancer. He was also a wonderful father who attended many football games and track meets. He was very proud of his children. Tom enjoyed hunting, fishing, NASCAR races, canoeing and golfing. Tom was a twenty-plus-year member of Silvercrest, where he enjoyed golfing with his buddies and having a few social beverages. He loved being retired and spending Thursdays with his lunch buddies talking smack.

Tom is survived by his son James Alberts of Decorah and daughter Julia Alberts of Mankato, MN; four brothers, Michael (Beth) of Albuquerque, NM, Patrick (Sandy) of Lansing, IA, Timothy (Jenean) of Lansing, IA, and Eugene (Suzanne) of Onalaska, WI and sister Rebecca of Decorah, IA, an aunt, Dorothy Sunday of Decorah and five nieces and nephews.

Tom was preceded in death by his wife Debra Alberts, his father James Alberts, mother Imelda Nesteby, brother Daniel Alberts, his grandparents Irene and Freeman Alberts and Lawrence and Grace Sutton.