Burton R Thomas
d. February 4, 2011
Burton R Thomas
Lake Crystal Mortuary
507-726-6161
Burton R. "Dick" Thomas, age 87, of Lake Crystal, died Friday, February 4, 2011 at his home, after battling acute leukemia.
Funeral Service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 9, 2011 at the First United Methodist Church, Lake Crystal with Rev. Debbie King Quale, officiating, with military honors to follow. Visitation will be held one hour before service at church on Wednesday. Private family burial will be in Jerusalem Cemetery, Judson Township, Blue Earth County at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the First United Methodist Church of Lake Crystal, Kids Against Hunger chapter of Mankato, or please donate blood, a gift of immeasurable value. Lake Crystal Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
Burton Richard Thomas, the son of Thomas E. and Margaret (Roberts) Thomas was born October 21, 1923 in Cambria Township, Blue Earth County, Minnesota. He attended country school and was a graduate of Lake Crystal High School. Burton served in the United States Army during World War II in the Pacific, mainly in the Philippines. He was awarded the Purple Heart, two Oak Leaf Clusters, and two Bronze Stars. Burton spent several months in a military hospital in Walla Walla, WA, recovering from wounds received in battle. He was honorably discharged on August 14, 1945, and returned to Lake Crystal, where he attended Commercial College in Mankato.
Burton married Myrna Ferol Miller, of Lakeville, on June 10, 1950 at Christiania Lutheran Church in Lakeville. They resided in Lake Crystal, raised four children, and enjoyed nearly 61 years of marriage.
Burton was employed by the United States Postal Service in Lake Crystal, and was recognized for 35 years of service. He was Postmaster from 1961 until his retirement in 1984. He was also very active in home construction and renovation, development of nursing homes and apartment buildings for USDA Rural Development. He was a member of First United Methodist Church, NAPUS, American Legion Post 294, and the Madelia Golf Club.
His favorite activities included dancing, golf, the Minnesota Vikings, antique cars, coffee with the guys, Friday lunch with his buddies, traveling, Western novels and movies, and people! He loved people! Burton loved his family, friends, big band music, his children and telling jokes.
He is survived by his wife, Myrna Thomas; four children, Kerri (Tom) Baker of Thousand Oaks, CA, Paul Thomas of Lake Crystal, James Thomas of St. Cloud, and Jodi (Jay) Gieseke of Mankato; two sisters, Elaine Hood of Lake Crystal, Violet Louris of Edina; sister-in-law, Vivian Thomas of Lake Crystal; and a wide extended family.
Burton was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, William Thomas, Robert Thomas, Reese Thomas; and sister, Margaret (Anton) Olson.
"A stranger is a friend I haven't met yet."
507-726-6161
Burton R. "Dick" Thomas, age 87, of Lake Crystal, died Friday, February 4, 2011 at his home, after battling acute leukemia.
Funeral Service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 9, 2011 at the First United Methodist Church, Lake Crystal with Rev. Debbie King Quale, officiating, with military honors to follow. Visitation will be held one hour before service at church on Wednesday. Private family burial will be in Jerusalem Cemetery, Judson Township, Blue Earth County at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the First United Methodist Church of Lake Crystal, Kids Against Hunger chapter of Mankato, or please donate blood, a gift of immeasurable value. Lake Crystal Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
Burton Richard Thomas, the son of Thomas E. and Margaret (Roberts) Thomas was born October 21, 1923 in Cambria Township, Blue Earth County, Minnesota. He attended country school and was a graduate of Lake Crystal High School. Burton served in the United States Army during World War II in the Pacific, mainly in the Philippines. He was awarded the Purple Heart, two Oak Leaf Clusters, and two Bronze Stars. Burton spent several months in a military hospital in Walla Walla, WA, recovering from wounds received in battle. He was honorably discharged on August 14, 1945, and returned to Lake Crystal, where he attended Commercial College in Mankato.
Burton married Myrna Ferol Miller, of Lakeville, on June 10, 1950 at Christiania Lutheran Church in Lakeville. They resided in Lake Crystal, raised four children, and enjoyed nearly 61 years of marriage.
Burton was employed by the United States Postal Service in Lake Crystal, and was recognized for 35 years of service. He was Postmaster from 1961 until his retirement in 1984. He was also very active in home construction and renovation, development of nursing homes and apartment buildings for USDA Rural Development. He was a member of First United Methodist Church, NAPUS, American Legion Post 294, and the Madelia Golf Club.
His favorite activities included dancing, golf, the Minnesota Vikings, antique cars, coffee with the guys, Friday lunch with his buddies, traveling, Western novels and movies, and people! He loved people! Burton loved his family, friends, big band music, his children and telling jokes.
He is survived by his wife, Myrna Thomas; four children, Kerri (Tom) Baker of Thousand Oaks, CA, Paul Thomas of Lake Crystal, James Thomas of St. Cloud, and Jodi (Jay) Gieseke of Mankato; two sisters, Elaine Hood of Lake Crystal, Violet Louris of Edina; sister-in-law, Vivian Thomas of Lake Crystal; and a wide extended family.
Burton was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, William Thomas, Robert Thomas, Reese Thomas; and sister, Margaret (Anton) Olson.
"A stranger is a friend I haven't met yet."
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