Obit: Thoma, Harold J. #2 (1920 - 2006)

Contact:  Audrey Roedl
Email: audero@charter.net

Surnames: THOMA MARQUARDT SCHOENHERR HOPPA HORN KOEPP

----Sources: Tribune-Record-Gleaner, Loyal, Wisconsin, 25 October 2006

Thoma, Harold J. (20 JUN 1920 - 17 OCT 2006)

Harold J. Thoma, 86, Neillsville, died Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2006, at the Memorial Health and Rehabilitation Center, Neillsville, Wis. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., on Friday, Oct. 20, at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, Globe. The Rev. Daniel Cole officiated. Music was provided by Virginia Thoma, organist, and Kevin Hanke, Dawn Thoma, and Dan and Bunny Dux, vocalists. Pallbearers were Frank Pekol, Dallas Thoma, Jon Hoppa, Daryn " Ooga" Horn, Jason Koepp, and Ron Yonke.

Harold John Thoma was born on June 20, 1920, in the town of Seif, to Arthur and Bertha "Babe" (nee Marquardt) Thoma. He attended the Worchel Grade School, town of Seif, and then at the age of 14, took over the family farm. He married Vivian Paula Schoenherr on June 20, 1942, in the Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, Globe. He farmed and hauled milk until 1964, when he sold the cows and machinery. He then worked for Ben Schwellenbach, operating a back hoe. Later, he worked digging gas lines and operated heavy equipment. He also worked for Boon Construction and Plautz Brothers. From 1968 to 1975, he sold snowmobiles with Jesse Hagen at H & J Sales. During that time, and the years to follow, he worked as a carpenter, including working on the Bio-Life research facility. He never really retired; he enjoyed keeping busy by helping others. He was a member of the Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, Globe. He enjoyed woodworking, horseshoes and playing cards—achieving the perfect hand in cribbage on May 5, 2005. Above all, though, he loved his grandchildren and his great-grandchildren.

Survivors include his children, Rick (Bonnie) Thoma, Neillsville, and Karen Hoppa, Neillsville; five grandchildren, Monte Hoppa, Tammy (Daryn "Ooga") Horn, Lisa (Jason) Koepp and Dallas Thoma; and two great-grandchildren, who were his pride and joy, Lainey Paula Horn, Neillsville, and Abigail Grace Koepp, Neillsville, Wis.

Preceding him in death were his wife, Vivian in 2001; his parents; and two brothers.

A most sincere thank you to everyone for your friendship to Dad. The many weeks he spent in the hospital the past three years were brightened by your visits. He couldn’t conquer the diabetes problems and is at last at peace with his Savior and family 9in heaven, no doubt playing cribbage or sheepshead. Thank you, thank you.

Gesche Funeral Home, Neillsville, assisted the family with arrangements.