Betty Thomas

Betty Jean Thomas age, 89 of Missouri Valley, Iowa passed away on Tuesday, June 2, 2015 at Longview Care Center in Missouri Valley, Iowa. Betty was born March 31, 1926 to Clarence and Edna (Houghton) Royer and grew up on farms in the Woodbine area. After graduating from Woodbine High School, she attended San Diego State, where her twin brother was stationed in the Navy and came back to Iowa to begin a long teaching career in the country schools in Woodbine and Missouri Valley areas. She married William J. Thomas on August 20,1947 in Woodbine, Iowa and together raised two sons, Kent and Bruce living in several home in the Missouri Valley area before moving out to the farm that is now known as the “Home Place” in 1955. After the country schools closed in the mid 60’s she began substitute teaching in the Missouri Valley school system continuing into her early 70’s touching many lives over her long career. She joined the Firth Lutheran Church in Missouri Valley in the mid 50’s and was an active member, teaching Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and maintaining the Cradle Roll for many years. In addition to her teaching career, she was very involved in the family farm lending a helping hand when needed. She enjoyed attending Children’s and grandchildren’s school and sporting events, gardening, playing piano and organ, bird watching, and was a terrific cook whose beef and noodles with decorated cookies became a family Christmas tradition. Most of all she enjoyed her family and friends. Betty is preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, William Thomas, her parents, Clarence and Edna Royer, sisters and husbands Katherine and Romaine Adams, Carolyn and Walter Babl, and twin brother and wife Bob and Betty Royer. Betty is survived by her brother and wife Lynn and Jean Royer, sons and wives Kent and Dixie and Bruce and Kathy, five grandchildren, and many friends and relatives. Visitation will be held at the Hennessey Funeral Home in Missouri Valley, Iowa on Sunday from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 4:00 p.m. The family would like to invite everyone to a time of lunch and fellowship at the First Lutheran Church after the committal service. In Loving Memory Of Betty J. Thomas Born March 31, 1926 Woodbine, Iowa Entered Into Rest June 2, 2015 Missouri Valley, Iowa Funeral Service 10:00 a.m. Monday, June 8, 2015 First Lutheran Church Missouri Valley, Iowa Officiating Pastor Ray Smith Vicar Lucas Booher Organist Selections “How Great Thou Art” “Holy Holy Holy” “The Tree Of Life” Honorary Bearers Lynn Royer Bill Babl Jim Royer Keith Adams Mark Wohlers Terry Adams Mark Royer Scott Studer Casket Bearers John Royer John Babl Dan Royer Ryan Thomas Jason Lausterer Jay Wheeldon Final Resting Place Grange Cemetery Honey Creek, Iowa