Dorothy Evelyn Thomas, 90

Dorothy Evelyn Thomas, 90, passed peacefully on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015. She had resided at Generations Assisted Living & Wellness in Rathdrum, Idaho, since May 2009. This was just a mile away on the Meyer Road from the homestead where she was born on Dec. 15, 1924, to Charles and Jeanette Boekel. She married Ralph Gordon Thomas on Jan. 2, 1947, in Reardan, Wash.

Evelyn graduated from Rathdrum High School and attended Kinman Business School in Spokane, Wash., where she studied bookkeeping. She worked at Van’s Creamery in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. for several years. During this time the family lived in the Nettleton Gulch area of Coeur d’Alene until 1961 when they moved to the farm on Good Hope Road near Athol, Idaho, where they resided for 30 years. In 1992, they moved to the Royal Highlands in Post Falls, Idaho. Evelyn used her bookkeeping skills to manage the family farm as well as her home sewing business. She was an accomplished seamstress and tailor providing garments for weddings, and custom sewing for private clients. She also sewed the majority of clothes for the entire family and later clothing for the grandchildren.

Her special hobbies and interests included sewing, quilting, making Christmas candy, baking, canning, tending to her special roses, entertaining, and not least of all working the Sunday crossword puzzle in ink.

Evelyn and Gordon were active in the Hayden Friends church for more than 30 years. Together they were involved in small shepherding groups and enjoyed being the Sunday morning greeters. Evelyn thoroughly enjoyed being part of the church quilting group, MOPS and ladies Bible study.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her loving husband, Ralph of 54 years; her two sisters, Marjorie Beaver and Helen Colville; daughter-in-law Nancy Thomas and grandson Darryl Thomas.

Evelyn is loved and survived by her children, Mike (Dee) Thomas of Portsmouth, R.I., Peggi (Greg) Walsh of Dayton, Ore., Keith (Judy) Thomas of Rathdrum and Sharon Thomas of Post Falls; grandchildren Eric, (Tara) Thomas and Chad Thomas, Jeff and Cindy Walsh, Lindsay and Jason Thomas; and great-grandchildren Cameron and Victoria Thomas, and Michael Thomas.

Lastly the family would like to thank from the bottom of our hearts the entire staff of Generations Assisted Living & Wellness for the wonderful care and compassion shown to our mother up to her passing. We are eternally grateful.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a contribution be made to the charity of your choice in Evelyn Thomas’ name. Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d’Alene Chapel, has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements. Please visit Evelyn’s online memorial and sign her guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.