Evelyn R. Thomas

Evelyn Ruth Thomas was born June 18, 1913, to Ernest and Mabel Kottke Grussendorf in New Ulm, MN. She grew up in the Cosmos, MN, area and graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1931. In November 1940, Evelyn was united in marriage to Edwin J. Thomas. She had worked as a receptionist for the State Highway Department, working all four districts near Albert Lea. Evelyn was a member of the Salem Lutheran Church, "Sew & Tell," the Margaret Haupt circle, Salem Senior Citizens, the American Legion Auxiliary, Friends of the Library, and the Naeve Auxiliary, as well as a 4-H volunteer, a Red Cross Volunteer, and a volunteer at the Freeborn County Fair. She was an avid Minnesota Twins fan and enjoyed crocheting and traveling. On December 19th, Evelyn was a "Golden Angel" in the Sunday school Christmas program. Survivors include her daughter, Linda and husband, Rod Johnson of Albert Lea; grandchildren, Joshua and his wife, Karen Johnson of Liberty, MO, and Matthew Johnson and his fiancee, Christine Hebl of Minneapolis; brothers, Gordon and his wife, Doris Grussendorf and DuWayne and his wife, Doris Grussendorf, all of Minneapolis; and nieces and nephews. Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Edwin; and brothers: Ralph, Donald, and Robert. Memorials are preferred to the Salem Lutheran Building Fund or the Albert Lea-Freeborn County United Way.