Lucille Krause Thomas

Lucille Krause Thomas passed away September 27, 2018 peacefully in her sleep at Valley View Nursing Home in Hamilton, Mt.

Mom was born October 22, 1925 in Grant County near Revillo, South Dakota to Fred Krause and Mary Noeldner Kra use. She was born in a house that was converted from an old grainary.

In 1932 they moved to Altamont, South Dakota and raised cat tle, hogs, chickens, and milked cows. She also had a variety of horses through her growing up years. She rode them and also trained them to bow. She attended school at Lone Tree Lake, a one room classroom which she attended through 8th grade.

The school was near the family farm, getting to the school was walking or riding her horses. She had them trained to go home and come back. When the weather was severe her Dad would get her there. A lot of times with the team and wagon. Mom would not drive a vehicle when she was younger, but on occasions would drive the tractor.

On December 26, 1953 she married Roy Charles Thomas and moved to his farm near Gary, South Dakota. At this area the three daughters were born and the raised on the family farm. The fourth daughter died in childbirth. Mom was a hard worker and helped out harvesting grain, hay and the corn crops. During the rotating silage crew harvesting, she would put out a hearty meal for the crew at their farm for the noon meal. She always had birthday dinners for the elder Washburn side of the family having Roy's Uncle and Aunts down for their celebration. Weekends were occasional drives to visit relatives and friends.

Because of Roy's health a decision was made to sell the family farm and the move to Stevensville, Montana was made the first of June 1972 where everyone settled into the new place. It was quite the experience moving from the rolling Coteau Hills of South Dakota to the mountains of Montana.

In 1978, they moved to Rigby, Idaho and enjoyed the neighborhood. They still enjoyed taking trips around the area sightseeing and visiting. When Mom was up visiting with Steve and MaryAnn in the winter, MaryAnn would get Mom out in the old pickup and make her drive it while MaryAnn fed the livestock. Occasionally, there was a little clutch jumping and stalling but she sure did enjoy it. She enjoyed the short trips on the snowmobile so long as someone drove it.

In 1987, they brought Mary, Mom's mother, after Fred's passing and moved her in with them until she needed to  go into a retirement home.  They took Mary out for many adventures around, Idaho, Wyoming and up to Montana to visit Charlene and M aryAnn ' s families.

In 1990 , Roy and Lucille moved back to Conner, Montana to be closer to family because of Roy's health. In January 1991, Roy passed away.

While living at Conner, Mom had many friends that visited her and would take her to church and shopping. She very much enjoyed the socializing with the many people that helped her out.

Lucille was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Mary Krause, her husband Roy Thomas, infant child Shirley Marie, and several cousins and in-laws. She is survived by her daughters and their spo uses, MaryAnn (Steve) Goss and their daughter Joan; Charlene (Wade) Cox of the Alta area and their children Rosy Casey of Hamilton and Orrin Cox (Kari Ford) of the Alta area, and Cindy (Ron) Shaw of Auburn, Nebraska and one great grandson Ellie Cox of the Alta area.

Also surviving are her In-Laws Jean Knipe of Gary, South Dakita and Mary Anne (Harvey) Nelson of Marietta, Minnesota.

We Want to Thank the Valley View Nursing Home for taking care of our mother for the last few years and Daly-Leach for the services.

Funeral services for Lucille will be held Wednesday October 3, 2018 at 10:00 A.M. at Daly-Leach Chapel in Hamilton.  A graveside service will follow at Lone Pine Cemetery in Darby.  Please share your condolences with the family by visiting www.dalyleachchapel.com under the obituary section.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Lucille Krause Thomas, please visit our floral store.