Velma M. Thomas, 85, of Kendall died Sunday, July 28, 2013, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Hillsboro.
She was born Feb. 3, 1928, to Dewey Sr. and Lucy (Coleman) Worthington on the family farm. Velma attended high school in Kendall and Ontario. On June 20, 1946, Velma was united in marriage to Berten E. Thomas in Hillsboro. He preceded her in death June 20, 2005.
Velma was a dutiful and devoted homemaker and caregiver. During the time Bert’s health was failing, she was his primary caregiver at home. Velma worked for a variety of different local businesses in the area. She worked for some time at Tillman’s Produce and had retired from the Heritage Manor in Elroy after working several years in the dietary department.
She was a faithful member of Faith Independent Baptist Church in Ontario and was very active with church activities. Velma enjoyed the fellowship of her church family and the Kendall community. She was a member of the Kendall card group that traveled to neighboring communities to play cards. She also enjoyed playing dice, quilting and cooking. Her homemade noodles were one of the family’s favorite.
She is survived by a daughter, Ruby Downing of Elroy, and two sons, James (DeEtte) of Richland Center and Kenneth of Kendall; six grandchildren, Mike, Leslie (Jim) Pulka, Scott (Lisa), Mark Downing, Richard Downing and Brian (Suzanne) Downing; 15 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; a brother, Charles (Georgine) Worthington of Richland Center; a sister-in-law, Eldora Thomas of Norwalk; two brothers-in-law, Don Wallace of Tomah and Manuel Sanders of Sparta; and nieces nephews, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents and many brothers, sisters, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 1, at Faith Independent Baptist Church in Ontario. Pastor Michael T. Gjefle will officiate. Burial will be at Mount Tabor Cemetery in the town of Forest. Relative and friends are invited to call from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday at the Smith-Nelson Funeral Home, 112 E. South Railroad St., Kendall, and from 10-11 a.m. Thursday at the church. Online condolences may be given at www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com.
