Joseph Thomas Costello

It’s with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Joseph Thomas “Tom” Costello on July 12, 2025, from injuries sustained in a traffic accident. Visitation will take place on Sunday, July 27, from 3-5 pm at Major Erickson Funeral Home. Private family graveside services will be held. 

Tom, the oldest of three children of Joseph and Mable Costello, was born on November 6, 1939, in Lincoln, Nebraska. He graduated from Hitchcock High School in 1957, where he enjoyed playing basketball and baseball. Immediately after graduation, Tom enlisted in the United States Navy, serving our country for four years. After his honorable discharge, he began working for the Chicago & North Western Railroad. He traveled frequently, living the railroad life. While working in Morton, Minnesota, he met a pretty redhead named Carol and started courting her. Tom and Carol were married on September 18, 1965, in Morton, Minnesota, a town they called home until he was transferred to the north Iowa area, settling their growing family in Plymouth in 1972. Tom and Carol are the proud parents of Thomas “Tom”, Brian, Craig, and Jennifer. When their kids were young, and Tom was not on the road, he enjoyed many family camping trips in their Bethany pop-up camper and watching the kids participate in athletic events. Tom was also a member of Saint Michael's Catholic Church and the Plymouth Volunteer Fire Department. 

After he retired from the railroad, Tom and Carol enjoyed traveling, at first on bus tours throughout the United States and later taking trips with their children and spouses to Maine, Ireland, and Europe. Tom and Carol also made several trips to Hawaii. Going out for breakfast with their morning friends was also a big part of their retired life. Cooks Cafe and The Village were two main spots you could find them in the morning. Whether it was a result of his frequent travel with the railroad or simply his nature, Tom enjoyed striking up conversations with people. He could find a topic of discussion with almost anyone. Last year, while on their last “Big” trip through Europe, they had a stop in Switzerland, and Tom left the tour group to go talk with some guys he saw working on a nearby railroad. The common railroad bond bridged any language barrier that was present. Laughs and information were shared (much through gestures) before Tom returned to the tour group. Tom was an extremely proud veteran. Rarely would you see him without a United States Navy hat on his head. He was also proud that two of his children, Tom and Jennifer, served our country in the military. All three of them were to be honored this September in a ceremony with the Quilts of Valor of North Central Iowa. 

His memory will be carried on by his loving wife of 59 years, Carol; children, Tom (Patty), Brian (Jennifer), Craig (Aubrey), and Jennifer; grandchildren, Joshua, Rowan, Abby, Zachary, Mackenzie, Chloe, Taylan, Morgan, and Alex. He is also survived by five great-grandchildren; his sister, Linda Isbell; brother-in-law, Dennis “Butch” McGowan; and many nieces and nephews. 

Preceding Tom in death are his parents, Joseph and Mabel Costello; sister, Betty Shoultz; sisters-in-law Doris McCorquodale, Darla McGowan, and Janice McGowan; brothers-in-law Jim Shoultz, Bill Isbell, Jim McCorquodale, and Robert McGowan.