Velma "Jeannie" Thomas

Velma Jean "Jeannie" Thomas, 74, of Marysville, died on December 21, 2022, after a brief battle of intestinal ischemia at St. Elizabeth's Regional Medical Center in Lincoln, NE. A celebration of life for Jeannie will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, January 6, 2023, at the First Christian Church in Marysville. A luncheon will follow. Private family inurnment will be held at a later date. Jeannie was born on a full moon as Velma Jean Bowser on August 21, 1948, in Mayetta, KS, to her parents, Rachel L. (Lowe) and Ora Bowser. She met the love of her life at a dance in a 4-H building in Holton, KS, it was love at first sight and Dean wouldn't stop bothering her until she agreed to go on a date with him. The romance blossomed quickly, and they were soon married on December 31, 1965. We have always enjoyed celebrating this union every year. This would be their 57th anniversary together. She graduated from Mayetta High School in 1966 and the family soon started. Their two daughters were born, and the excitement never ended with Dean by her side. The family moved from Holton to Marysville in 1974 where Jeannie started her career at City Hall as the deputy city clerk. Jeannie was and still is one of the longest tenured employees of Marysville, having worked there for 34 years. While working at City Hall she excelled at helping city employees, her boss, and the residents of Marysville as she continued typing her 60 words a minute. Her coworkers and life-long friends, Nancy and Iola, all went on a fun vacation together leading to wonderful memories in Colorado of 1992. Jeannie was president for the Kiwanis international service club for two years, being a member for over six years and she especially enjoyed designing the window display for a few years during her retirement. Family was always Jeannie's top priority and there was nothing she wouldn't do or give to make them feel safe, happy, and loved. The girls grew up and flew the coop and grandchildren started to arrive shortly after. Time stands still for no one. The grandchildren grew up and have now started families of their own. Witnessing the birth of her first great-grandchild was a memory she always cherished. Jeannie felt blessed to have the ability to care for her family including her great-grandchildren. She will always be remembered for her apple pies, applesauce cookies, fried chicken, and lasagna. Jeannie always took time to do art projects with the kids and was always so patient teaching each of them her cooking tips. Living in the country, bird watching, being close to nature, and gardening were some of her favorite things in this world. She loved camping and visiting the mountains. She was an avid reader and could easily read a book a day if left to her own devices. Dean loved her dry sense of humor and will miss her calves. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Orie Dean Bowser and Otis Alfred Bowser; and sister, Ida Mae Harms. Survivors include her husband of 57 years, Dean G. Thomas, Marysville; daughters, Crystal (Chris) Davis, Marysville, and Michelle Kogl, Lawrence, KS; her many grandchildren: Amber (Trent) McLaughlin, Ogallah, KS, Chelsea (Bryant) Frerking, Marysville, Kayla Aguilar (Luis Aguilar-Rodriguez), Vancouver, WA, and Thomas Bishop, Kansas City, KS; great-grandchildren: Darren McLaughlin, Okinawa, Japan; and Harley, Addilynn, Bennett and Elliott Frerking, Marysville; and several nieces, nephews and cousins across the country that are mourning her loss. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Jeannie's name to the American Legion Riders Post 163. Contributions may be sent in care of Kinsley Mortuary. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Velma "Jeannie" Thomas, please visit our flower store.