1933
Isaac
2015
Isaac Thomas
February 6, 1933 — March 9, 2015
Isaac M. "Ike" Thomas Jr. 82, of Detroit Lakes, died Monday, March 9 at Oak Crossing in Detroit Lakes.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, March 14 at 10:30AM in Holy Rosary Catholic Church- St. John's Hall. Visitation will be held at David Donehower Funeral Home on Friday, March 13 from 5PM-7PM with a Knights of Columbus Rosary at 6:30PM followed by a Prayer Service at 7PM. Visitation will also continue at the church one hour prior to Mass. Interment will be held in Holy Rosary Catholic Cemetery. Isaac Morgan Thomas Jr, known to many as "Ike" was born February 6, 1933 in Detroit Lakes to Isaac Sr. and Corrine (Trahan) Thomas. He was the middle child with two sisters and two brothers. Ike's father owned the IM Thomas Store, which was a "ma and pa store" that sold groceries. Ike and his siblings attended Holy Rosary School for grades 1 through 8 and graduated from Detroit Lakes High School. After graduation, Ike worked for Fairmont Creamery in Detroit Lakes for the summer. In the fall, he began working for Nabisco National Biscuit Company in Fargo. The following spring, Ike enlisted in the United States Navy. He served 2 ½ years on the USS Boxer CVA21, which ported out of San Francisco, CA. This ship served in the Pacific Taskforce 77 on the Pacific Ocean. Ike transferred to Corpus Christi, TX, where he served an additional year. It was during this time that Ike met Lottie Himel at a local Catholic Club. Lottie was an Air Traffic Controlman for the Navy and was also stationed in Corpus Christi. They were united in marriage in 1956, which was the same year Ike was discharged from the Navy. After their honorable discharge, they moved to Fargo where Ike resumed employment with Nabisco Company. Ike and Lottie were blessed with six children: Corrine, Monica, Isaac III, Andrew, Bridget and Philip. They also have eight grandchildren to date and one great-grandson. In 1963, Ike's father decided to retire from the grocery business so Ike and Lottie moved home to Detroit Lakes and took over the family business. Ike changed the name to Thomas Grocery. They owned and operated the store for 31 years, just as his father had done. Ike retired from the grocery business in 1994. He started volunteering his time at St. Mary's Hospital in January of 1998, assisting with Mass for Pastoral Care. He prayed the Rosary every Tuesday and Friday, watered the outdoor plants at the Nursing Center, and helped with Auxiliary fundraisers such as "Lilies of Love". Ike also worked as a cashier in the Gift Shop for one year. Over the years Ike accumulated over 1, 500 volunteer hours. He was also active with the Detroit Lakes Senior Citizens Center since 1996. He delivered meals, helped with the monthly breakfast and anything else that needed to be done. Ike was an active member at Holy Rosary. Over time, he made hundreds of rosaries and donated them to promote the ministry of Mary.
Ike is survived by his wife: Lottie of Detroit Lakes, and six children: Corrine (Larry) Vange of Detroit Lakes, Monica (LeRoy) Zabel of Long Prairie, Isaac (Adriana) Thomas III of Detroit Lakes, Andrew (Andrea) Thomas of Salt Lake City, UT, Bridget Thomas (Alex Tetlak) of Kirksville, MO, Philip (Kelly) Thomas of Lake Charles, LA along with eight grandchildren: Adam Vange, Seth Vange, Luke Vange, Rachel Vange, Sarah Vange, Jonathan Thomas, Olivia Thomas, Joseph Thomas and one great-grandchild: Kaiden. He is also survived by his four siblings: Marie Sherman of Eau Claire, WI, Vivian (Frank) Reed of Savage, MT, Jim (Susie) Thomas of Detroit Lakes and Mike Thomas (Barbara Hall) of St. Cloud. He is preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral Home: David Donehower Funeral Home 609 Hwy 10 East Detroit Lakes, MN US 56501
Friday, March 13, 2015
Service
Saturday, March 14, 2015
Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, March 14 at 10:30AM in Holy Rosary Catholic Church- St. John's Hall. Visitation will be held at David Donehower Funeral Home on Friday, March 13 from 5PM-7PM with a Knights of Columbus Rosary at 6:30PM followed by a Prayer Service at 7PM. Visitation will also continue at the church one hour prior to Mass. Interment will be held in Holy Rosary Catholic Cemetery. Isaac Morgan Thomas Jr, known to many as "Ike" was born February 6, 1933 in Detroit Lakes to Isaac Sr. and Corrine (Trahan) Thomas. He was the middle child with two sisters and two brothers. Ike's father owned the IM Thomas Store, which was a "ma and pa store" that sold groceries. Ike and his siblings attended Holy Rosary School for grades 1 through 8 and graduated from Detroit Lakes High School. After graduation, Ike worked for Fairmont Creamery in Detroit Lakes for the summer. In the fall, he began working for Nabisco National Biscuit Company in Fargo. The following spring, Ike enlisted in the United States Navy. He served 2 ½ years on the USS Boxer CVA21, which ported out of San Francisco, CA. This ship served in the Pacific Taskforce 77 on the Pacific Ocean. Ike transferred to Corpus Christi, TX, where he served an additional year. It was during this time that Ike met Lottie Himel at a local Catholic Club. Lottie was an Air Traffic Controlman for the Navy and was also stationed in Corpus Christi. They were united in marriage in 1956, which was the same year Ike was discharged from the Navy. After their honorable discharge, they moved to Fargo where Ike resumed employment with Nabisco Company. Ike and Lottie were blessed with six children: Corrine, Monica, Isaac III, Andrew, Bridget and Philip. They also have eight grandchildren to date and one great-grandson. In 1963, Ike's father decided to retire from the grocery business so Ike and Lottie moved home to Detroit Lakes and took over the family business. Ike changed the name to Thomas Grocery. They owned and operated the store for 31 years, just as his father had done. Ike retired from the grocery business in 1994. He started volunteering his time at St. Mary's Hospital in January of 1998, assisting with Mass for Pastoral Care. He prayed the Rosary every Tuesday and Friday, watered the outdoor plants at the Nursing Center, and helped with Auxiliary fundraisers such as "Lilies of Love". Ike also worked as a cashier in the Gift Shop for one year. Over the years Ike accumulated over 1, 500 volunteer hours. He was also active with the Detroit Lakes Senior Citizens Center since 1996. He delivered meals, helped with the monthly breakfast and anything else that needed to be done. Ike was an active member at Holy Rosary. Over time, he made hundreds of rosaries and donated them to promote the ministry of Mary.
Ike is survived by his wife: Lottie of Detroit Lakes, and six children: Corrine (Larry) Vange of Detroit Lakes, Monica (LeRoy) Zabel of Long Prairie, Isaac (Adriana) Thomas III of Detroit Lakes, Andrew (Andrea) Thomas of Salt Lake City, UT, Bridget Thomas (Alex Tetlak) of Kirksville, MO, Philip (Kelly) Thomas of Lake Charles, LA along with eight grandchildren: Adam Vange, Seth Vange, Luke Vange, Rachel Vange, Sarah Vange, Jonathan Thomas, Olivia Thomas, Joseph Thomas and one great-grandchild: Kaiden. He is also survived by his four siblings: Marie Sherman of Eau Claire, WI, Vivian (Frank) Reed of Savage, MT, Jim (Susie) Thomas of Detroit Lakes and Mike Thomas (Barbara Hall) of St. Cloud. He is preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral Home: David Donehower Funeral Home 609 Hwy 10 East Detroit Lakes, MN US 56501
Previous Events
VisitationFriday, March 13, 2015
5:00 PM
- 7:00 PM
David-Donehower Funeral Home
609 Hwy 10 East
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
A Knights of Columbus Rosary will be held at 6:30PM followed by a Prayer Service at 7PM
Saturday, March 14, 2015
10:30 AM
Holy Rosary Catholic Church-St. John's Hall
1043 Lake Avenue
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
Mass will be held in Holy Rosary Catholic Church-St. John's Hall
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