Shirley Thom
April 14, 1931 — May 24, 2014
Shirley Jean Thom died of a brief, aggressive bout with cancer on Saturday, May 24, 2014. She was born April 14, 1931 in Lincoln, NE to Francis and Marguerite Robertson. Shirley graduated from Mankato High School in 1949 and Mankato State Teachers College in 1951.
June 9, 1951 she married Wallace Thom at First Christian Church in Mankato. Following the wedding, she joined Wally in his National Guard training at Camp Rucker, AL. Upon returning home, she taught at Minnesota Lake Public School and Rapidan Public School near Mankato. In 1955, they moved to Granite Falls, MN where they operated Thom Floor Covering for 25 years.
Shirley was active in her spiritual life beginning with her baptism into the Christian faith at First Christian Church and confirmation at Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Mankato. She was active at Granite Falls Lutheran Church and with the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (WELCA). Through her church she and Wally initiated a community Christmas fellowship dinner.
Shirley was a very engaged community supporter. She was involved with the American Legion Auxiliary at the local, district and state levels, and enjoyed being a house mother in the dormitories during American Legion’s Girl State programs. In earlier years, she was involved with Junior Chamber of Commerce, Cub Scouting, and the Order of the Eastern Star where she had served as a Grand Adah. In 1979 she was named Business Woman of the Year by the GF Chamber of Commerce. She was a Hospice volunteer for 13 years, and most recently volunteered at the K. K. Berge Building.
She led a robust recreational and social life. Shirley was an avid bowler and golfer. She and Wally were named Mr. and Mrs. Golf at the Granite Falls Country Club. Together they initiated a cancer golf benefit. She lived to play cards. So passionate was she about her cards that on one frigid day this winter when all were discouraged from travel, she picked up her friends to go to another’s home for an afternoon of cards.
Along with card clubs, she loved her friends with the Red Hat Society, the meal site, and the Kilowatt Community Center aquasize and Golden Grand’s groups. She enjoyed senior college at Southwest State University and bus trips to theater performances. Shirley and Wally enjoyed traveling with their camper and made annual treks to southern Texas, and also with the Good Sam camping club.
Shirley was a polio survivor from an early age which created mobility and other challenges in later years. Despite those challenges she refused to stay home. Being among friends and family motivated her to get out the door each day. Remaining an active, vital member of her community kept her going. She lived as an inspiration to her family and those who knew her.
Having lived a very full, blessed and satisfied life she was at peace and was ready to join Wally for their life in eternity. She is survived by sons: David (Jan) of Custer, SD, Steven (Paula) of Prior Lake, MN and Bradley (Ruth) of Clear Lake, MN; grandchildren: Nicole Thom; Erin Buehring (Brandon); Michael Thom (Erin); Crystal Dahlberg (Dustin); Stephanie Boe (Joe); Leah Schuch (Jeremy); and Adam Thom; 14 great-grandchildren; and sisters-in-law Phyllis Olson and Orleone Thom of Mankato, Maxine Thom of Albert Lea; and cousins Dorothy Pettigrew of Lincoln, NE and Janet Vallery of Phoenix, AZ.
Shirley was preceded in death by her husband Wally Thom; her parents Francis and Marguerite Robertson and grandsons Justin Lee and Johnny Lee Thom.
June 9, 1951 she married Wallace Thom at First Christian Church in Mankato. Following the wedding, she joined Wally in his National Guard training at Camp Rucker, AL. Upon returning home, she taught at Minnesota Lake Public School and Rapidan Public School near Mankato. In 1955, they moved to Granite Falls, MN where they operated Thom Floor Covering for 25 years.
Shirley was active in her spiritual life beginning with her baptism into the Christian faith at First Christian Church and confirmation at Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Mankato. She was active at Granite Falls Lutheran Church and with the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (WELCA). Through her church she and Wally initiated a community Christmas fellowship dinner.
Shirley was a very engaged community supporter. She was involved with the American Legion Auxiliary at the local, district and state levels, and enjoyed being a house mother in the dormitories during American Legion’s Girl State programs. In earlier years, she was involved with Junior Chamber of Commerce, Cub Scouting, and the Order of the Eastern Star where she had served as a Grand Adah. In 1979 she was named Business Woman of the Year by the GF Chamber of Commerce. She was a Hospice volunteer for 13 years, and most recently volunteered at the K. K. Berge Building.
She led a robust recreational and social life. Shirley was an avid bowler and golfer. She and Wally were named Mr. and Mrs. Golf at the Granite Falls Country Club. Together they initiated a cancer golf benefit. She lived to play cards. So passionate was she about her cards that on one frigid day this winter when all were discouraged from travel, she picked up her friends to go to another’s home for an afternoon of cards.
Along with card clubs, she loved her friends with the Red Hat Society, the meal site, and the Kilowatt Community Center aquasize and Golden Grand’s groups. She enjoyed senior college at Southwest State University and bus trips to theater performances. Shirley and Wally enjoyed traveling with their camper and made annual treks to southern Texas, and also with the Good Sam camping club.
Shirley was a polio survivor from an early age which created mobility and other challenges in later years. Despite those challenges she refused to stay home. Being among friends and family motivated her to get out the door each day. Remaining an active, vital member of her community kept her going. She lived as an inspiration to her family and those who knew her.
Having lived a very full, blessed and satisfied life she was at peace and was ready to join Wally for their life in eternity. She is survived by sons: David (Jan) of Custer, SD, Steven (Paula) of Prior Lake, MN and Bradley (Ruth) of Clear Lake, MN; grandchildren: Nicole Thom; Erin Buehring (Brandon); Michael Thom (Erin); Crystal Dahlberg (Dustin); Stephanie Boe (Joe); Leah Schuch (Jeremy); and Adam Thom; 14 great-grandchildren; and sisters-in-law Phyllis Olson and Orleone Thom of Mankato, Maxine Thom of Albert Lea; and cousins Dorothy Pettigrew of Lincoln, NE and Janet Vallery of Phoenix, AZ.
Shirley was preceded in death by her husband Wally Thom; her parents Francis and Marguerite Robertson and grandsons Justin Lee and Johnny Lee Thom.
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