THOMAS, Colleen Margaret 1926 - 2014

THOMAS, OCONNOR, DEVINE, LARSON, SMITH, MADSEN, DAWSON, HERMANSON

Posted By: Pat Ludeke (email)
Date: 1/13/2018 at 00:10:40

Colleen Margaret Thomas, 88, of Mason City passed away on Friday, Oct. 17, 2014, at Good Shepherd Health Center in Mason City.

Colleen was born June 27, 1926, in Hutchins, Iowa, the daughter of John L. Devine and Theresa B. (O'Connor) Devine. She graduated from Britt High School and on Aug. 10, 1946, married John W. Thomas of Mason City at Holy Family Church.

Colleen was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son, James Thomas; and sister, Ruth Larson.

Colleen worked for 28 years for the city of Mason City, most of them in the Department of Inspection Services. Subsequently she worked for eight years as the shelter manager and volunteer coordinator for Crisis Intervention Service and was recognized by the Iowa Coalition against domestic violence for her years of service to their cause.

Colleen was active in the community as a co-founder and former board member of Hawkeye Harvest Food Bank and chairperson of their Emergency Food Box project. She was previously a member of the Pilot Club of Mason City service organization and was also a Hospice volunteer. Colleen was coordinator of the city-wide "Wheels for Shirley" fund drive in 1984, which provided a much needed electric wheelchair for a polio victim.

Also active in her church throughout her life, Colleen has served as president of both St. Joseph Tabernacle Society and St. Joseph Parish Council, and was on the coordinating teams for RCIA and Renew. She was a member of the social justice committee and co-founder of "Stepping Forward," a support group for widows and widowers. She was a four-year member of the Archdiocese of Dubuque Catholic Charities Board; and was a Eucharistic Minister at St. Joseph Parish, Mercy Hospital, Good Shepherd Health Center, and to the homebound.

Colleen is survived by her son, Tim (Theresa) Thomas of Mason City; daughter, Jonette (Chuck) Smith of Council Bluffs; one brother, Paul Devine of Corwith; one sister, Helen (George) Madsen of Kansas City, Missouri; three sisters-in-law, Marge Thomas of Mason City, Rose Dawson of Mason City, Betty Hermanson of San Diego, California; daughter-in-law, Loma Thomas of Waterloo; eight grandchildren; and 21 great grandchildren.

A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 20, 2014, at Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 Third St. N.E., Mason City, with a Scriptural Wake Service at 6:30 pm.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 302 Fifth St. S.E., Mason City, with an Epiphany Parish priest officiating. Burial will follow at Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery, Mason City.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hawkeye Harvest Food Bank, Newman High School Tuition Assistance, American Diabetes Association, American Lung Association, or Crisis Intervention Service.

Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 Third St. N.E., Mason City, 641-423-2342, ColonialChapels.com.