Thomas "Tom" Carl Laurenzo, age 78, passed away from this life on Monday, April 15, 2024, at Kavanagh House Hospice in Des Moines.

Tom was born on July 18, 1945, in Des Moines, Iowa. His parents owned and operated several restaurants in the Des Moines area, including Vic's Restaurant in the Drake Neighborhood, Laurenzo's, The Blue Willow on Forest and Gigi's in Windsor Heights. Along with his siblings, Tom worked (and played) at the family establishments. This would be foundational for the strong work ethic and people skills that brought him success later in life. Tom graduated from Dowling Catholic High School in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1963. He went on to study at St. Benedicts College for Men in Atchison, Kansas, and finally to Drake University, where he graduated in 1967 with a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing.

Tom had a fruitful, decade's long career in the advertising industry. He began as a Sales Executive at KCCI Channel 8 in the 1970s. Following were many years as an Account Executive at Lessing-Flynn and Love, Scott & Associates. By the late 1990s, he was running his own agency, Laurenzo-Jones LLC.

His love for family was paramount and Tom will be remembered by all as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend and more. He will also be remembered as a passionate lover of baseball and more specifically, as an obsessive fan of the NY Yankees. Most nights during baseball season, he could be found in close proximity to a game playing on TV. In his younger years, Tom along with many of his lifelong friends, played with The Bulbas, a local softball team. As an avid skier, there were countless trips to the Colorado Rockies. In his later years he preferred to keep his travel laid back and was known to regularly spend time at Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and Sanibel Island, Florida.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Geraldean and Victor Laurenzo. Those left to honor his memory are his wife Patricia; his children: Thomas Christopher Laurenzo, Anthony Laurenzo (Frank Dorante), Shannon Daly (Thomas Jasso) and Bill Aspengren; his grandchildren: Troy Daly, Kinley Bjorholm and Kruze Bjorholm; and his siblings: Joseph (Linda ) Laurenzo, Victoria DeGette, and Teresa Laurenzo, all of the Des Moines area.

The family is grateful to Dr. Yu Hsuan Wang DO, the nurses, and the supporting staff on the 5th Floor of Mercy One Downtown Des Moines. The family also has immense appreciation, respect and gratitude for the nurses and staff at Kavanaugh House Hospice on 56th Street in Des Moines.

The memorial service will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 2926 Beaver Avenue in Des Moines. A luncheon will follow in the church hall. Contributions in Tom's memory may be directed to Holy Trinity Catholic Church.

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