Iona Mae Thomas

Iona ?Iny? Mae Thomas, 76, of 216 N. Taft, died Monday, September 12, 2005 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit. Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Wednesday at the First Christian Church, 318 N. Adams with Rev. Carla Nelson and Rev. Charles Aurand officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 PM Tuesday at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue and continue one hour before services Wednesday at the church. Memorials may be given to the First Christian Church, Salvation Army or Hospice of North Iowa. Iona was born December 2, 1928 in Mason City the daughter of Melvin and Hazel (Harris) Bailey. She graduated from Mason City High School in 1946. On October 16, 1949 Iona married Ralph R. Thomas at the First Christian Church. Four children where born to this loving couple, Leon, Barbara, Mark and Robert. Iona started her business, Thomas Rentals, in 1953. She was a tireless and hard worker. She owned and managed the business till the time of her death. She was known as a landlady with a heart. Iona?s husband Ralph, owned and operated Thomas Machine Company. Iona was a gentle, kind and optimistic person. She helped others whenever she could and always looked on the bright side. She was devoted to her family and would do anything for them. She was not only a mother, but a friend to each of her children. She was a wonderful grandmother and mother-in-law. Iona was a gracious hostess and always made people welcome in her home. Iona was an active and lifelong member of the First Christian Church. She was also a member of Church Women United, Beta Sigma Phi, Rake and Hoe, North Iowa Vintage Auto, Antique Automobile Club of America, Metropolitan Owners Club of North America and the Plymouth Club. Iona enjoyed genealogy, antique car tours, reading mystery books, watching mystery movies and loved doing yard work, especially mowing her lawn. Iona is survived by her son, Leon Thomas and wife Mary of Mason City and their children, Dylan and Alyssa of Iowa City and Derek of Mason City; daughter, Barbara Colvin of Hawkeye; son, Mark Thomas and wife Tralee and their sons, Eric and Jason of Mason City; son, Robert Thomas of Mason City; sister, Leila Young and husband LeRoy of Nora Springs and their children, Dana, Brad and Brenda; sister-in-law, Hazel Mae McGowan of Bettendorf and her children, Alys Jo and Tom; sister-in-law, Leona Cooperman and husband Dr. Martin of Stockbridge, MA and their children, Barbara, Sue and Alan. Iona was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Ralph; brother, Marlin; son-in-law, Steve Colvin; brother-in-law, Merlin ?Mac? McGowan.

Visitation:
4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue on September 13, 2005 (map/driving directions) 4:00 PM to 4:00 PM at 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue on September 12, 2005 (map/driving directions)

Service:
11:00 AM at on September 14, 2005 (map/driving directions)