Elva L. Thomas, 97, of Cashton died Monday, Sept. 5, 2011, at Vernon Memorial Hospital.
She was born May 30, 1914, to Frank and Maude (Burcham) Smith. She attended grade school through eighth grade and later returned to school to obtain her GED.
Elva was united in marriage to Earl “Pete” Thomas on June 8, 1932. He preceded her in death Jan. 11, 1987. Elva spent her earlier years raising her children and later in life worked as a seamstress for the Hillsboro Sewing Company. She also worked at Tomah Memorial Hospital and Brookwood High School as a cook.
She was a lifelong, faithful, devoted member of Ontario Community Baptist Church. For many years, she was a Bible-school teacher for children of all ages. Elva was a “people person,” enjoying the company of others. She loved spending time with her senior-center friends, sharing stories of time past, playing cards and taking trips. Elva was proudly nominated as the senior prom queen.
She also enjoyed crocheting and making quilts. She was a gifted storyteller and wrote numerous short stories and poems. Her greatest joy in life was raising her family and watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great-great-grandmother, sister and friend.
She is survived by three daughters, Beth Cary of Cashton, Kay Sullivan of Tomah and Elaine (Meryle) Mueske of Janesville; two sons Ronnie (Delores) Thomas and Terry (Kim) Thomas, both of Janesville; a daughter-in-law, Betty Thomas of La Crosse; 18 grandchildren, Dan Cary, Bob Cary, Gary Sullivan, Tim Sullivan, Roger Sullivan, Kevin Sullivan, Ronnie D. Thomas, Scott Thomas, Steve Mueske, Andrew Mueske, Pam Williams, Janna Olson, Debra Hundt, Anne Miller, Merilyn Jilek, Patti Vincer, Amy Champion, Erin Thomas and Emily Thomas; many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Ethel Munson of Viroqua and Garnet Winchel of Wonewoc; and nieces, nephews, many other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Pete; a son, Dale; a daughter, Connie; a granddaughter, Kim Marson; a grandson, Craig Sullivan; four brothers, Errol Smith, Kenneth Smith, Bertrand Smith and Raymond Smith; and five sisters, Carol Hutchens, Mildred Klein, Letha Hoke, Lillian Dobbs and Wilma Frye.
A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 9, at Community Baptist Church, Ontario. Rev. Bruce A. Milleman will officiate. Burial will be in Old Ontario Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the church from 4–8 p.m. Thursday and one hour prior to services Friday. The Smith-Nelson Funeral Home, Wilton, is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be given at www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com.
