Thomas, Harriett Jean "Rusty" (Died 2004)

THOMAS, PRATT

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 6/8/2009 at 19:49:36

KINGSLEY, Iowa -- Harriett Jean "Rusty" Thomas, 82, of Waikiki, Hawaii, formerly of Kingsley, died Monday, Nov. 29, 2004, at her residence due to complications from Parkinson's disease.

Memorial services will be held in January.

Rusty was born in Kingsley to Elvin and Jean Pratt. She graduated from Iowa State University in the mid 1940s. She married Ernest Hayden "Tommy" Thomas in 1948.

Friends described the former Honolulu Star-Bullentin food editor as a friendly person who enjoyed meeting people. She was nicknamed "Rusty" because of her flaming red hair. She worked as food editor for the Star-Bullentin from 1949 to 1964.

She loved desserts, especially leche flan and bread pudding. In April 1996, she donated a menu collection of her dining experiences to Kapiolani Community College's food service program. She was described as a sharp, inquisitive person who enjoyed attending art openings. She also enjoyed dancing, playing volleyball and swimming in Waikiki. Moreover, she was a senior canoe paddler for the Outrigger Canoe Club.

She and her husband lived at the Colony Surf since 1961. Ernest Thomas, a Pacific Chemical and Fertilizer chief chemical engineer and U.S. Army colonel, died in February 2003 at their home.

As food editor, she attended national food conventions on the mainland, where she met actors and actresses such as Lana Turner, Joan Crawford and former president, Ronald Reagan.

She was always very happy. She had a nice big smile with red hair and was a very friendly, outgoing and gregarious person.

~Source: The Sioux City Journal, Dec. 29, 2004

Plymouth Obituaries maintained by Linda Ziemann.
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