Sue Ann Thomas was born Feb. 9, 1940, in Numa, Iowa, the daughter of Orlando Leon and Eva Mary (Danay) Wyldes. She graduated from Centerville High School in 1958. Sue was united in marriage to Thomas Charles Thomas on July 23, 1960, in Centerville. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and will be greatly missed.
Sue met Tom at the Eagle’s Club in Centerville while in high school. A shared love of polka dancing turned to dating and it probably didn’t hurt that Tom’s ’52 Mercury was the fastest car around with Sue cheering him on at impromptu drag races.
They settled in the West Chester area in 1970 where they lived until last fall.
Sue was a great cook and baker but Tom tells the story that “Sue couldn’t cook worth a ____ when we first got married.” She quickly learned to become a master and was famous for her homemade bread (which she made three times a week) caramel cinnamon rolls, Miracle Whip chocolate cake and the infamous Purple Pie aka known as Blueberry Delight.
Having five kids who participated in football, basketball, track, softball and baseball and music made for a busy schedule. Sue would attend the home games and Tom would plan his sales route to attend the away games. The kids could always count on at least one parent being there to cheer them on.
At one point a family friend suggested to Sue that she might like selling Avon. She was encouraged by the family and quickly fell in love with Avon, where she won many Albee sales awards. She was an Avon lady for over 30 years, up until Covid hit.
Sue treasured being a Grandma and Great-Grandma. Her favorite times were babysitting or attending a ball game, dance recital or music concert. Always a good sport and willing to try just about anything with the kids, she was funny without even trying. Some treasured, and hilarious family memories with Sue are bowling, playing board games and jet skiing at the Coralville Reservoir.
She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wellman for more than 40 years, where she served on the Altar and Rosary Society.
Sue was 84 when she passed away on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at the University of Iowa Hospital, surrounded by her family.
She is survived by her husband: Tom of Washington; five children: Stephen (Pam) Thomas of Washington, Sharon (Rob) Sprague of Solon, Paul (Diana) Thomas of Center Point, Keith (Dianna) Thomas of Des Moines, and Dave (Kelley) Thomas of Washington; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and a sister: Lorene Evans of Muscatine.
She is preceded in death by her parents; two brothers: Bobby and Jimmie Wyldes; and a sister: Helen Green.
Funeral Mass will be 10:30 am on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wellman. The private family burial will be at the West Chester Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday, May 13, from 4:00 to 6:30 pm at the Powell Funeral Home in Wellman. A memorial fund has been established for St. Joseph Altar and Rosary Society. Messages and tributes may be directed to www.powellfuneralhomes.com.
The family would like to thank the Washington County Clinics and Hospitals along with the United Presbyterian Home in Washington for their excellent nursing care and the staff’s kind friendships.
