Fred Thomas, 85, Mott, died Sunday, May 15, 2016 at the Good Samaritan Society, Mott, with family at his side. Fred’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Thursday, May 19, 2016 at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church, south of Richardton, with Fr. Thomas Wordekemper, OSB as the celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Stephen’s Cemetery. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Ladbury Funeral Service, and will continue at the church from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., with a rosary & vigil at 7 p.m.
Fred Thomas was born November 16, 1930, the ninth of ten children born to Joseph and Susanna (Jordan) Thomas. He was born in the homestead house of the farm that would be his home for his entire life, until his health (Alzheimer’s) dictated the necessity to move in the Fall of 2012 to the Evergreen Assisted Living, Dickinson. He then in November 2014 moved to the Good Samaritan Home, Mott.
Fred married Kathryn Kilzer on November 20, 1950 at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church. Together they built up the family farm, by raising cattle and hogs, and planting small grains. During this time they were blessed with five children. Fred’s strong work ethic, determination and ingenuity were key attributes of his life. This was seen in his many construction projects, which he not only designed but built.
He retired from farming in 2000, following the death of his wife, Kathryn. He bought a house and continued to reside on the farm. The farm still remains in the family, as his son James (Patty) continue to farm along with their children, the fourth generation.
Fred had a fond love for music and dancing, and he was always ready to play a game of cards. He loved anything chocolate. Although he never wanted to wander too far from the farm, he did love to take drives and to go places. Even to his last day, he never wanted to miss out on anything.
His grandchildren and great-grandchildren were very special to him and he was known for his infamous “snake bites”. He was a member of St. Stephen’s Church.
Fred is survived by four children, Patty (Leo) Greff, Fergus Falls, Minn., David (Georgine) Thomas, Green Valley, Ariz., Connie (Michael) Bruesch, St. Francis, Minn., and James (Patty) Thomas, Mott; special dear friend, Loretta Magstadt, Mott; 22 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Lena Kelsch, Richardton, and Mary Krauter, Minneapolis, Minn.; and brother-in-law, Don Marx. He was preceded in death by his wife, Kathryn on November 17, 1999; his parents; daughter, Sharon Greff; great-grandchildren, Sophie and Lucy; brothers, John Harle, Joe Thomas, and Pete Thomas; and sisters, Rose Mayer, Ann Schank, Kathryn Messer, and Eleanor Marx.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to St. Stephen’s Catholic Church.
