Obituary of E. Elmer Thomas

Edward Elmer Thomas was born July 29, 1913 in Aberdeen, South Dakota, the son of Hugh and Jennette (Hughes) Thomas. On February 18, 1938 in Morning Sun, Iowa, Elmer was united in marriage to Mida L. Lock, who preceded Elmer in death on August 19, 1947. Elmer later marred Lynette Patten on July 25, 1957 in Jacksonville, Fl., who also preceded Elmer in death on January 28, 2001. He was a member of the Cotter Presbyterian Church serving as elder, clerk of session for many years and as church trustee. He was on the Cotter School Board, the Louisa County School Board and the Louisa County Fair Board serving as president several times. Elmer served as Louisa County Supervisor from 1981 to 1988. Most recently, Elmer was the Chairman of the Cambrian Cemetery and the Pioneer Cemetery. In 1993 Elmer and Lynette were honored as Distinguished Citizens of Columbus Junction. He was inducted to the Iowa Association of Iowa Fairs Hall of Fame in 1996. He was an over-50 year member of the Columbus City Masonic Lodge, the York Rite and the Kaaba Shrine. Elmer was an avid Iowa Hawkeye and Chicago Cubs and Bears Fan. Elmer was a lifetime farmer. Elmer will be dearly missed by his two daughters Janet Pretz and her husband Robert of Columbus Junction, Ia; and Beverly Gordon of Rockwell City, IA; five grandchildren Susan, Steve and Elizabeth Pretz and April and Lance Gordon; and three great grandchildren Lindsey, Syndey and Spencer Pretz; one brother Kenneth Thomas of Columbus Junction, IA; two Sisters-in-law Iola and Wayne Parsons and Naomi Lock all of Richland, Ia; several nieces, nephews and a host of friends. Elmer was preceded in death by his parents, both wives; three brothers Haydn, Harold and Harvey; one sister Dorothy and two sisters in infancy; and one son in law Warren Gordon.