Grace M. Thoms

Grace M. Thoms, 92, of Reinbeck, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, August 25, 2011, at Parkview Manor in Reinbeck, Iowa. Funeral services were held 10:30 AM, Tuesday, August 30, 2011, at Amity Presbyterian Church, rural Reinbeck, Iowa, with Pastor Diane Martin officiating. Burial followed at the Grant Township Cemetery. Visitation was from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday, August 29, 2011, at French Hand Funeral Home in Reinbeck. Memorials may be directed to the family. To view the complete obituary or to send messages of condolence, please visit www.abelsfuneralhomes.com

Grace was born December 14, 1918, in Canton, South Dakota the daughter of Jacob and Mabel (Abbott) Stauffacher and grew up in that area. On March 10, 1946, Grace was united in marriage to Raymond Thoms. They made their home in the Sioux Falls, S.D. area the first two years of their marriage. In 1948 they moved to their farm near Gladbrook where they were to live until their move to Reinbeck in 1997. Grace was a member of Amity Presbyterian Church and was involved in many of the church’s groups and activities Presbyterian women, Sunday school teacher and was an ordained deacon. Grace and Raymond received the Outstanding Senior Presbyterian award in 2003. She enjoyed decorating cakes and spent many hours crocheting doilies.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Raymond; two brothers; two sisters; a granddaughter Virginia Thoms; and a daughter-in-law, Leita Thoms.

She is survived by her daughter, Janice (Jack) Schleisman of Madison, Wis.; son, Duane Thoms and special friend Paula Hoyer of Waterloo; three granddaughters, six great-grandchildren; two sisters and many nieces, nephews and friends.