Rose Mary Thomas, age 90, of Sidney, NE passed away Thursday, January 6, 2022 peacefully surrounded by family. Rosary services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Tuesday, January 11, 2022 in the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Sidney, NE with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 A.M. with Father Robert Karnish officiating. Burial will be in the Greenwood Cemetery in Sidney. Services will be recorded and available on our website for viewing. Friends may stop at the Gehrig-Stitt Chapel on Monday, January 10th from 1-6:00 P.M. to sign Rose’s register book and leave condolences for the family. Family will be present from 4-6:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 1039 14th Avenue, Sidney, NE or Nebraska Right to Life.
You may view Rose’s Book of Memories, leave condolences, photos and stories at http://www.gehrigstittchapel.com.
Gehrig-Stitt Chapel & Cremation Service, LLC is in charge of Rose’s care and funeral arrangements.
Rose was born on May 30, 1931 in Sidney to Frank and Bertha (Larson) Peetz. She graduated from St. Patrick’s Academy in 1949 and went on to attend Chadron State College to earn her teaching certificate. She taught for one year and decided that teaching was not for her. At the urging of her brother, Dwaine, she joined him in Omaha and earned her RN degree from Creighton University in May of 1954. She then moved back to Sidney to work at Dr. Lloyd O’Holleran’s office.
She married the love of her life, LaVerne Thomas, on November 17, 1954. They lived on LaVerne’s family farm southeast of Sidney and raised their 7 children. After years in the doctor’s office, she went to work the night shift for Sidney Memorial Hospital so she could be home when the kids were home from school. Rose also worked as a school nurse and volunteered for Hospice. Her dream was also to be a part of the Red Cross and go where there was a disaster. But because of LaVerne’s illness at the time, she was unable to fulfill that dream. Aside from her many volunteer roles and working full-time, Rose, along with LaVerne, enjoyed traveling, square dancing, and playing cards with their friends.
She was an active member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Altar society, Catholic Daughters, Right to Life and the Diocese of Catholic Women. She served at various capacities for these organizations while she was able.
Rose is survived by her children: Tim and wife Becky Thomas of Sidney, Cheryl and husband Jim Montgomery of Kearney, Sharon Thomas of Sidney, Chris and husband Pat Dolan of Kearney, Katie and husband John Bartling of Douglas, WY, and Doug and wife Tonya Thomas of Gering, and Daughter-In-Law Becky Thomas of Vermillion, SD. Many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Preceded in death by Husband, LaVerne, Son, Walter Thomas, Her parents, Brothers Burgett Peetz and Dr. Dwaine Peetz, Sisters Gloria Bonkiewicz and Elaine Glanz, Her mother and father in-laws, Arno and Minnie Thomas.
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