Howard Thomas

Services for Howard "Bill" Thomas, 86, of Conde, will be 10:30 am, Thursday at the United Methodist Church, Conde. Pastor Jan Price will officiate. Burial with Masonic rites will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens, Aberdeen under the direction of Paetznick-Garness Funeral Chapel, Groton. www.paetznick-garness.com

Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 4-8pm on Wednesday with a prayer service at 7:00pm.

Bill passed away December 2, 2007 at Golden Living Center, Groton.

Howard Arthur "Bill" Thomas, Jr. was born on September 29, 1921 to Howard Arthur and Anna (Sondergard) Thomas in Turton, SD. He attended school in Conde graduating from High School in 1940. Bill united in marriage with Wava Morrill on November 20, 1942 in Redfield and the couple made their home near Conde. Bill farmed in the Turton/Conde area for many years before moving into Conde in 1978. Bill continued to help area farmers before retiring in 1986. .

Bill attended the United Methodist Church, Conde. He was also active in Eastern Star, and the Masonic Lodge being a Life Member of the Grand Lodge of South Dakota since 1990. Bill also was a past member of the Benton Township board, Conde City Council and the WEB Water Board. He enjoyed hunting, snowmobiling, playing cards and riding his trike. Bill was an excellent handyman as well as a great gardener. He will be remembered as a loving husband, devoted father and grandfather.

Grateful for having shared in his life is his wife, Wava, seven children; Nancy (Garry) Staley of Frederick, MD, Becky (Ron) Bawek of Conde, Scott (Carol) Thomas of Groton, Jeff (Dianne Butler) Thomas of Conde, Lori (Ron) Westby of Groton, Jean (Ron) Worlie of Conde and Joni (Matt) Groeblinghoff of Groton. Bill is also survived by twenty grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and his brother; Steve Thomas of Turton.

Preceding him in death were his parents and one brother, Jerry Thomas.

Honorary Casketbearers will be Donovan LaBrie, Marion Jensen, Ola Barnes, Frank Funk, Grant Hanson, Robert "Bob" Groeblinghoff and Ron Borchard.

Casketbearers will be Randy Olson, Don Reiners, Kent Holsten, Robert "Baker" DeVine, Jeff Miles and Danny Miles.

Family prefers memorials to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 2025 East River Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55414, Attn: Pamela.