Janet Emelie (Benest) Thomas, 10 Aug 1938 - 10 Mar 2022

THOMAS, BENEST, VERCANDE, UHLENHAKE, JOHNSON, BEHEL, GRADY, WRATTEN, GARBES

Posted By: Sarah Witte (email)
Date: 3/17/2022 at 14:58:24

Janet E. Thomas, 83, of Cedar Rapids, passed away on Thursday, March 10, 2022, at the Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha. Funeral service: 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 15, at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Cedar Rapids. Entombment will be held at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation: noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Church. Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Survived by her daughters, Christine Uhlenhake (Clay), Chanhassen, Minn., Michel Johnson, Las Vegas, Nev., and Tami Behel, Cedar Rapids; grandchildren, Neil and Logan Uhlenhake, Tom Grady and Zachary Johnson, and Samantha Behel; seven great-grandchildren; siblings, Lee Benest (Lyn), Sue Wratten (Steve) and Karen Garbes (Dick); and many other family members and friends.

Janet was preceded in death by her parents; father-in-law, William Thomas; mother-in-law, Thelma Thomas; and grandson, Josh Behel,

Janet was born on Aug. 10, 1938, in Williamsburg, Iowa, the daughter of Kenneth Charles and Lenore Emily (Vercande) Benest. While working at Collins Radio, she met the love of her life, Neil. She later worked for Personal Tax Service for 27 years. Janet was a member of First Congregational United Church of Christ. She was an avid golfer for many years. Janet played in numerous golf leagues throughout the city. She was the women's city champion six times between 1984 and 1996. Janet also played in several ladies tournaments in Iowa and around the country. Janet loved gardening and flowers. She enjoyed her wine until her health prevented her from having it.

Janet and her husband Neil enjoyed traveling all over the world. They went places like the Wine Country in California and very much enjoyed tasting all kinds of wine. Their travels also took them to Hawaii and Europe. They also made their rounds to plenty of areas in the U.S. as well. Janet's greatest joys in life were being a wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister-in-law and aunt. Janet will be missed by all.

The family would like to thank the staff at Keystone Cedars, Mercy Hospice and all of the staff at Hall-Perrine Cancer Center.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to Hall Perrine Cancer Center, First Congregational United Church of Christ or Variety Children's Charity. Online condolences are welcome at www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.

Published in The Gazette on March 12, 2022.