Obit: Thomas, Gertrude Marcella (1929 - 2015)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Amacher, Bertucci, Feustel, Moore, Saliny, Thomas

----Source: The Star News (Medford, WI) 5/07/2015

Thomas, Gertrude Marcella "Toots" (Amacher) (27 FEB 1929 - 5 MAY 2015)

Gertrude Marcella "Toots" Thomas, Medford, died on May 5, 2015, at the age of 86 years and 2 months. She was born in Amherst, WI on February 27, 1929.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry J. Amacher in 1966 and Anna Johanna Augusta (Feustel) Amacher, in 1971. Her husband Ervin Ernest Thomas also preceded Toots in death on July 24, 1998.

Toots was baptized in Amherst, WI and confirmed at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Stetsonville, WI. Her Elementary School days were spent at Green Acre School on Cty. Rd. A, Stetsonville and High School Graduation from Medford, WI was in 1947. She was the oldest of 8 children born to Henry and Anna Amacher from 1929 to 1948. During Grade School years, her family hosted Bible School teachers (2) every summer for 2 weeks. They brought their tent with them; for teaching, but slept and ate, at the family farmhouse. About a dozen Elementary age neighborhood children, joined them for Bible Study. This is mentioned because Summer Bible School was an enjoyable time for Toots. She was the Teacher's Aide before there was such a thing. It was many years before Teacher's "helpers" would be called T.A.'s. A lot of respect was shown to Toots, by the summer kids, because it was an honor to work with and for the teachers. Having three younger brothers in Bible School certainly did not begin to earn her any "kudos"!!

During the summers of 1946 and 1947, Toots went to Faribault, MN (where her Aunt Bertha lived), stayed in a rented room and worked downtown at the Faribault Diner. Those were her first and only times of living and working anywhere outside of WI. Toots rented a room in an older lady's home while working in MN. It was a very unique house that had a REAL fresh spring water well, in the kitchen. One that had a rope, handle and bucket to get fresh water at any time. Her younger sister, Annette, was duly impressed at age 8 when she visited Toots and got to stay over for a couple days and nights. Fall of 1947 she procured a job working for Keith Ungrodt at his IGA store in Medford, after which she moved on to Hurd Millwork and worked there for the next 25 years. Toots and her husband Erv were part owners of Thomas Floral and Greenhouse. During busy floral seasons, funerals, birthdays, etc., she put in many hours helping at the "shop", which she truly enjoyed.

Gertrude Marcella" Toots" Amacher married Ervin Ernest Thomas at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Medford on August 15, 1953. Their marriage wasn't blessed with any children, but Toots had a plethora of Godchildren; who she, until in recent years, remembered on their special days. For years; in the winter, Toots and Erv enjoyed Curling with the Medford Curling Club. They both enjoyed playing cards with other couples, going out for dinner, especially at Florina's and in their younger years they loved going to the AVON THEATRE to see the latest movies. Golfing on Ladies Day brought a lot of enjoyment to Toots' life. B.P.W. was a local organization for Business and Professional Women that she belonged to for years. Toots participated with the Ladies Aid and was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Medford. For years she and her "cronies" would hop into Fran Simek’s limo and head out to one of several Casinos. While Fran was alive they also took the Casino Bus at times. After Fran's demise, a bus ride every week or two to a Casino was the favorite form of entertainment, until poor health brought those excursions to a halt.

Toots spent about ten years giving "special time" and care to her Aunt Dorothy E. Amacher in Medford. She was like a daughter that her Aunt Dorothy never had.

Toots is survived by three sisters: Annette R. Moore (4 sons, 1 daughter) of Waupun, Melva G. (Dennis) Saliny (1 son) of Rosemount, MN, Roberta J. (Don) Bertucci (1 son, 1 daughter) of Middleton.

Beside her Mom, Dad and Husband being deceased, her four brothers, Bud, Ronnie (in infancy) Len and Hap are also deceased.

Hemer Funeral Service is in charge of all funeral arrangements. A visitation will be at Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church, Medford, from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, May 9. The funeral is at 3 p.m., with a lunch to follow. For online condolences, please visit www.hemerfuneralservice.com