MAX H. THOMA 1881-1971

SMITH, THOMA, SCHORI, KUSTER, MACKENZIE

Posted By: Mary Durr (email)
Date: 11/9/2007 at 10:04:24

Max H. Thoma

Services were held at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Elgin, at 1:30 p.m. Friday, July 2 for Max H. Thoma, longtime Elgin businessman, who died at the Convalescent Home in Edgewood, Tuesday, June 29, 1971. Burial was in the Elgin cemetery.

Max H. Thoma, the son of Lewis Thoma and Rosa Smith Thoma, was born January 4, 1881 at Elgin. He graduated from the local high school in 1898 and from Cedar Rapids Business College in 1900.

March 5, 1913 he was married to Ida Mae Schori. They were the parents of three children, Lewis G. of Colesburg, Helen and Keith.

For 70 years Mr. Thoma operated a general store in Elgin. From 1901 to 1912 his brother Gus was in business with him, but since that date he was the sole proprietor of the business his father began in the early 1870's.

Mr. Thoma was always active in community affairs. In 1908 he was elected to the town council, serving for six years. He became town treasurer in 1914 and held that position until the present time. He served eight years as a member of the Elgin School Board and had been a longtime director of the Elgin State Bank, serving as president since 1953.

He joined the Elgin town band at the age of 14 and helped organize Elgin's popular Little German Band of the 1930-40's. He was a charter member of the Elgin Community Club and was a member of the Masonic Lodge and Order of the Eastern Star for over 60 years.

Mr. Thoma was preceded in death by his parents, four sisters, three brothers, his wife Ida, daughter Helen and son Keith.

He is survived by one son, Lewis; six grandchildren, Joan Thoma MacKenzie, Capt. John Thoma, Julienne, Michael, Jeffrey and Christie Thoma; two great grandchildren, Scott MacKenzie and Bryon Keith Thoma and a sister-in-law Mrs. Clara Kuster of Mill Valley, California.

Postville Herald newspaper clipping from my mother's obituary collection.
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