Obit: Thoma, Harold John #3 (1920 – 2006)

Contact:  Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Thoma, Marquardt, Schoenherr, Hoppa, Koepp

----Sources: Clark County Press (Neillsville, WI) October 25, 2006

Thoma, Harold John (June 20, 1920 - October 17, 2006)

Harold Thoma, age 86, of Neillsville, died Tuesday, October 17, 2006 at the Memorial Health and Rehabilitation Center in Neillsville, Wis.

Harold John Thoma was born on June 20, 1920 in the Town of Seif, Clark County, the son of Arthur and Bertha "Babe" (Marquardt) Thoma. He attended the Worchel Grade School in the Town of Seif and then at the age of 14 took over the family farm. He was united in marriage to Vivian Paula Schoenherr on June 20, 1942 in the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Globe, WI.

Harold 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 in the years to follow he worked as a carpenter, including working on the Bio-Life Research facility. Harold never really retired, he enjoyed keeping busy by helping others.

Harold was a member of the Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church. He enjoyed woodworking, Horseshoes and playing cards, achieving the perfect hand in cribbage on 5-5-05. Above all, though, he loved his grandchildren and great-grand-children.

He is survived by his children, Rick (Bonnie) Thoma and Karen Hoppa, both of Neillsville; five grandchildren, Monte Hoppa, Tammy (Daryn "Ooga") Horn, Jon Hoppa, Lisa (Jason ) Koepp and Dallas Thoma; and two great-grandchildren, who were his pride and joy, Lainey Paula Horn and Abigail Grace Koepp, all of Neillsville, Wis.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Vivian in 2001; his parents and two brothers.

Funeral services for Harold were held Friday, October 20, at the Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Globe. Pastor Daniel Cole officiated. Music was provided by Virginia Thoma, organist, Kevin Hanke, Dawn Thoma, Dan and Bunny Dux vocalists.

Casket bearers were: Frank Pekol, Dallas Thoma, Jon Hoppa, Daryn "Ooga" Horn, Jason Koepp, and Ron Yonke.

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

The Gesche Funeral Home assisted Harold’s family with funeral arrangements.