Edward (Jim) Thomas

Edward James (Jim) Thomas, 86, of Hastings, died Sunday, August 19, 2012 at his home.Jim was born June 18, 1926 in Morristown, MN, to Joseph and Catherine (Ensign) Thomas. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Navy/Seebees from 1943 to 1946 in the Pacific. He married Verneil Bremseth of Red Wing in 1947.He was a lifetime member and three-time commander of VFW Post 1210, and also served as manager of the VFW youth baseball team for many years. He was an active member of Our Saviour's Evangelical Lutheran Church and American Legion Post 47. He was an avid horseman, a member of the Spiral Riders Saddle Club and Washington County Sheriff's Posse.He was preceded in death by both parents; his wife Verneil in 2010; 2 sisters; 1 brother; sons-in-law John Zgoda and Dave Lobejko. Jim was a loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather survived by his children, Jack (Ginny) Thomas of Hastings, Becky Petersen of Hastings, Don Thomas of Fort St. Lucie, Florida, Cathy (Mike) Norgaard of Hastings, Pat (Mark) Freeman of Faribault, Julie (John) Zgoda of Hastings, Mary (Jack) Caudill of Hastings, Michele (Jerry) Russell of Hastings, Sandy (Scott) Myers of Hastings, and Peggy (Tom) Fox of Hastings; 29 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and a sister, Coral Peterson of Northfield. Funeral services will take place 11 AM, Wednesday, August 22, 2012 at our Saviour's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 400 9th St. W., Hastings, with Pastor Doug Duin officiating. Burial will follow in Lakeside Cemetery, Hastings, with military honors provided by VFW Lyle Russell Post 1210. Pallbearers will be grandsons Mike Thomas, John Devine, Dave Lobejko, Pat Lobejko, Steve Lobejko, Jeremy Freeman, Jason Freeman, Jesse Freeman, Jim Zgoda, Dan Zgoda, Eric Russell, Alex Myers, and Adam Fox.Honorary pallbearers will be granddaughters Jodee Hollenbeck, Beth Johnson, Cindy Hoffman, Susie Mattson, Joy Kubinski, Dawn Zgoda, Laura Russell, Colleen Russell, Alaina Myers and Megan Myers. Visitation will be held from 4-8 PM Tuesday, August 21, 2012at Caturia-Smidt Funeral Home, 201 7th St. E., Hastings, and one hour at the church prior to the service. Memorials are preferred to Hastings Family Service or Our Saviour's Lutheran Youth Activities.