Wilma Thomas

Hastings resident, Wilma Thomas, 95, passed away Thursday, May 2, 2013 at Perkins Pavilion Good Samaritan Society-Hastings Village, Hastings, Nebraska.

Services and burial will be held at a later date. Memorials may be given to Good Samaritan Village, Bryan Memorial Hospital, or Mary Lanning Hospice. There will be no viewing or visitation.

Wilma Thomas was born August 29, 1917 to William and Estella (Leap) Snyder at Spring Hill, Iowa. She spent her early years in Iowa and moved to Nebraska where she graduated from Gurley High School with the class of 1934. She moved to Sidney, Nebraska and worked for Rice Funeral Home. She met Dr. Leo J. Thomas and they were married July 29, 1939. Three daughters, Kay, Carole and Ann were born to this union. Wilma worked in her husband's chiropractic office until 1958 when she went to work at the Sidney Public Library. After Leo's death in 1963 she continued at the library and in 1966 moved to Lincoln to become a house mother for Theta Chi Fraternity at Nebraska Wesleyan University. Later, she moved to the Law Library on the East Campus at the University of Nebraska where she retired in 1982. Wilma was always active in her church The United Methodist Church in Sidney and at Warren Methodist Church in Lincoln. She was a 4-H leader and very active in all her daughters' activities. She belonged to Extension Club and had many hobbies including crocheting, embroidery work, sewing, baking and gardening. She was on the board of the Auxiliary at Bryan Memorial Hospital in Lincoln. She was recognized as the outstanding volunteer in 2001 by The East Campus Community Organization. After retiring, Wilma continued to live in Lincoln and attended most of her grandchildren's activities. She moved to Fond du Lac, Wisconsin to be closer to family and then back to Hastings, Nebraska to the Good Samaritan Village. She will be missed by all.

Wilma was preceded in death by her parents; loving husband, Dr. Leo J. Thomas; sisters, Lucille, Jean, Dorothy, and Sarah; and brother, William.

Survivors include:
Daughters & Spouses: Kay & Dave Koos - Chandler, AZ
Carole & Jim White - Maxwell, NE
Ann & Steve Halloran - Hastings, NE
Grandchildren: 8
Great-Grandchildren: 17
Many friends