FRED J. THOMA 1879-1950

RUCKDASCHEL, THOMA, MCWILLIAMS

Posted By: Mary Durr (email)
Date: 11/19/2007 at 08:48:14

SERVICES HELD FOR FRED J. THOMA, BUSINESS MAN

Fred J. Thoma, the youngest son of John Thoma and Dorthea Ann Ruckdaschel Thoma, was born in Postville, May 6, 1879. He was confirmed in St. Paul's Lutheran Church April 10, 1892.

On November 14, 1907 he was united in marriage to Ethel K. McWilliams and to this union two sons were born, Neeling F. and Arthur J.

As a young man, he engaged in business with his father in a restaurant and later a grocery store, and spent long hours incident to that business in the same building in which he was born until he sold the business six years ago and retired.

While attentive to the interests of his family and business Fred Thoma found time to discharge his duties as a citizen of the community. He served for years in the Volunteer Fire Department and was also a member of the town council for a time.

He became a member of the Masonic Fraternity in 1902 and in 1952 was honored with a certificate for 50 years of continuous membership in the order.

He passed away at the Postville Community Hospital March 10, 1959, at the age of 79 years and 10 months. He is survived by his widow; two sons, Neeling of Phoenix, Arizona and Arthur of Postville; one grandson, Robert, also of Phoenix; and a sister, Anna of Postville. He was preceded in death by his brothers, John and Will.

Funeral Services were held at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Postville on Friday, March 13, with the Rev. Charles E. Witt officiating. Burial was in the Postville cemetery where the Masonic service was conducted by Brotherly Love Lodge of Postville.

Postville Herald newspaper clipping, hand dated 1950, from my mother's obituary collection.
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