Thomas Joseph Schulte was born to John and Edna (Gollobit) Schulte on November 20, 1949 in Earling, Iowa. He was baptized at St Joseph's Catholic church in Earling. He graduated from Harlan Community High School in 1968.

Tom enlisted in the Air Force in 1970 during the Vietnam conflict. He trained and served as a medic during his time in the service. Tom was stationed at Tachikawa Air Force Base in Japan and Clark Air Force base in the Philippines.

After completing his military service, Tom continued his medical career. He earned his nursing degree from Western Iowa Tech and later graduated with honors from Buena Vista College earning a B.A. in Health Arts.

Tom's nursing career took him to several places. He worked as an ER nurse in Houston, Texas, and then he moved to Denver, Colorado to be closer to his brother Bill and was a Flight for Life emergency nurse at St Anthony's Hospital. After his time in Colorado, he returned to Iowa, where he felt most at home. He became a psychiatric nurse at Douglas County Hospital at the acute psychiatric care unit until his retirement.

Upon retirement he volunteered with the Red Cross as an onsite emergency disaster and triage nurse and given awards for his service. He was an active member of the American Legion Post 615 in Earling serving as the Adjutant, and he also served as an Ombudsman for the residents of Little Flower Haven nursing home. He was someone people could count on to listen, to advocate, and to show kindness.

Throughout his life, Tom was drawn to philosophy, Christianity, Buddhism, and spiritual study. These interests brought him peace and shaped the gentle way he moved through the world.

Tom passed away peacefully in Harlan, Iowa on Saturday, November 22, 2025 attaining the age of 76 years and 2 days. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Edna Schulte; brother, Gerald Schulte and sister, Mary Ann Schulte.

He is survived by his siblings, Julianne Andersen (Thomas Gubbels) of Harlan, IA, Pamela (Terry) Goetz of Defiance, IA, William (Suzzette) Schulte of Centennial, CO, and John "JR" (Suzie) Schulte of Maple Grove, MN; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.

No services are planned at this time. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations in Tom's name to the American Red Cross, an organization Tom supported and believed in deeply.