Erwin and Gertrude Thomas

Obituary

Erwin Henry Thomas
(September 30, 1923 – November 25, 2020)

Erwin was born September 30, 1923 in Hamburg, Carver County, Minnesota.  His parents were William and Elise (Prehn) Thomas.  Erwin was baptized on October 14, 1923 at Emanuel Lutheran Church of Hamburg, Minnesota.  He was confirmed on March 21, 1937 at Emanuel Lutheran Church, Hamburg, Minnesota.  His confirmation verse was: II Timothy 2:8:  Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel.

Erwin’s mother, Elise, died in 1945 just as he was about to be drafted.  Because of her death he was allowed to remain and work on the farm with his father.  Erwin lived on this family farm where he was born for 68 years.

Erwin married Gertrude Martha Jenneke on October 5, 1944 at the bride’s home in Plato, MN.  This marriage was blessed with two children – Gerald and Jean.  After their marriage, Erwin and Gertrude continued working on the Thomas farm and together they farmed for 47 years.  When they started farming, they used both horses and tractors to do the work.  They also had a dairy herd, raised pigs and chickens.  In 1973, the dairy cattle were sold and Erwin took to raising hogs and cash cropping.  In 1991 the farm was sold and they moved to the home they built in Hamburg, Minnesota.  In 2014, they moved to Peace Villa, in 2016 they moved to The Harbor, and in 2018 to Glencoe Regional Health Care Long Term Care.

During his lifetime Erwin did many things.  He was a faithful member of Emanuel Lutheran Church, sang in the Men’s Choir for 48 years, also sang in the Mixed Choir, was an Elder, was Congregation Secretary, Board of Education member, served on building committees, treasurer of a variety of funds, helped to organize and was a member of Silver Seniors, member of Men’s Club, and coached a girls’ softball team for many years.  He also was on the Board of Education for Public School #59 in Hamburg, served on the Hamburg Dairy and Minnesota Valley Dairy boards as a member and as their treasurer, worked for the Hamburg Farmers’ Store for a period of time, sold DeKalb seed corn for many years retiring in 2002.  Erwin was also a Mayer Lutheran High School Founder, MLHS Board of Directors member, and was a delegate for many years, was a Meals on Wheels driver.  Erwin’s hobbies included traveling with Gert; they enjoyed visiting many states.  He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, playing golf, working with numbers, and playing cards.

His children’s friends were always welcome at their home.  Gary Specketer became a regular during Gerald’s high school/college years; Jean’s friends Mary Baumann and Gayle Walsh were also frequent visitors. Erwin will also be remembered for his love of chocolate chip cookies. 

Erwin is preceded in death by his parents William and Elise Thomas; sister and brothers-in-law Rosella and Vernon Lueck and Bill Leistiko; sister and brother-in-law Elisa and Albert Cohrs; Great Grandson Brady Thomas.

Erwin is survived by his loving family: spouse Gertrude; son and daughter-in-law Gerald and Marlys Thomas of Mayer, MN; daughter Jean Thomas of NYA, MN; Grandchildren Todd Thomas and his wife Kris of Mayer, MN, Kim Miller and her husband Marty of Champlin, MN; Great Grandchildren, Riley Thomas and his fiancé, Danielle Mahlum, Megan Thomas, William Miller, Zoey Miller; sister-in-law Verona Herrmann; good friends Mary Baumann, Gayle Walsh, and Gary Specketer; Nieces, Nephews, Other relatives and many friends.

Memorials preferred to Emanuel Lutheran Church or Mayer Lutheran High School.

Gertrude “Gert” Martha (Jenneke) Thomas
(June 22, 1926 – March 5, 2021)

Gertrude Martha Thomas was born June, 22, 1926, at her home in Plato, MN, the daughter of William and Lydia (Sylvester) Jenneke.  She was baptized on July 4, 1926.  Gert confirmed her faith on March 17, 1940, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Plato.  Her confirmation verse was: Psalm 119:8.  On October 5, 1944, Gert was united in marriage to Erwin H. Thomas at her home in Plato.  This union was blessed with two children, Gerald and Jean.

Gert attended school at the public and parochial schools in Plato and graduated from Glencoe High School in 1944.  She spent much of her growing up years with Agnes and Roy Grunwaldt who were second parents to her and later were like grandparents to her children.  Once married, Gert and Erwin operated a farm in rural Hamburg.  Gert worked alongside her husband in all aspects of farming and could drive a tractor better than most.  She also enjoyed gardening and canning and freezing the vegetables from the garden.  She sewed much of their clothes and also quilts for the family and for Lutheran World Relief.  Gert and Erwin enjoyed traveling and they were able to visit many of the fifty states.  Spending time with family and friends was also very important.  They retired from farming in 1991 and moved to their home in Hamburg.  Gert continued being actively involved in Emanuel Lutheran Church, Ladies Aid for 55 years, Meals on Wheels driver, Bethesda and Economy Center driver/worker, Mayer Lutheran High School Founder, MLHS Guild, Emanuel Lutheran Church volunteer, World Relief quilter, Blood Donation caller, VBS cookie lady, Emanuel Lutheran Silver Seniors, organized Lutheran Brotherhood Branch at Emanuel.  In 2014, Gert and Erwin moved to Peace Villa, in 2016 moved to The Harbor, and in 2018 moved to Glencoe Regional Health Long Term Care.  Erwin passed away on November 25, 2020.

Gert will be remembered by her children for her ability to recondition anything to make it just right and to have the vision to see how things could be made better.  She will also be remembered for the love she had for her family and for the hospitality shown to all the college kids who came home with Gerald and Jean.  Gary Specketer became a regular during Gerald’s high school/college years; Mary Baumann and Gayle Walsh were frequently at their home.

Gert is preceded in death by her husband, Erwin; parents, William and Lydia Jenneke; dear friends, Roy and Agnes Grunwaldt; sister and brothers-in-law Dorothy and Eddie Hardel and William Burdorf; brother and sister-in-law, Hillard and Ruth Jenneke; father-in-law and mother-in-law, William and Elise Thomas; great grandson Brady Thomas.

Gert is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Gerald and Marlys Thomas of Mayer, MN; daughter Jean Thomas of NYA, MN; Grandchildren Todd Thomas and his wife Kris of Mayer, MN, Kim Miller and her husband Marty of Champlin, MN; Great Grandchildren, Riley Thomas and his fiancé, Danielle Mahlum, Megan Thomas, William Miller, Zoey Miller; sister Verona Herrmann; good friends Mary Baumann, Gayle Walsh, and Gary Specketer; Nieces, Nephews, Other relatives and many friends.

Memorials preferred to Emanuel Lutheran Church or Mayer Lutheran High School.