CLETUS W. THOMA

Article Photos

Cletus W. Thoma, 91, of Barnum, died Saturday, September 27, 2008 at the Fort Dodge Villa Care Center.

Following the services it was Clete's wishes to be cremated.

Funeral services will be Wednesday October 1 at 9:45 in the Chapel of Laufersweiler-Sievers Funeral Home and 10:30 at St. Joseph's Church in Barnum with Fr. Lynn Burch officiating at the Mass of Christian Burial. Following the services Military Rites will be presented by the Clare American Legion Post # 570. Visitation will be Tuesday after 4:00 with a vigil at 7:00 at the funeral home. Graveside services will be Saturday October 4 at 10:30 at St. Joseph's Cemetery in Barnum.

Survivors include his sons, William (Connie), John (Sue), Chris (Jacque), all of Fort Dodge, Todd (Betty) of Cherokee, Joe (Mary) of Riceville, Randy (Melanie) of Barnum; daughter Jean Farrell (Jim) of Omaha; 15 grandchildren; 23 great grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; sisters, Lucille Heun (Robert) of Fort Dodge, Marigene (Tom) Lennon of Barnum; sister-in-law Dorothy Thoma of Fort Dodge and brother-in-law Jim Witte of Waukee. He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Mary (McCormick) Thoma; wife, Gertrude; a grandson, Richard Thoma; sister, Cecila Witte and brothers, Arthur and Jerome Thoma.

Cletus W. Thoma was born March 21, 1917 in rural Laurens. He attended the country school near Laurens. Following his education he began farming for his father, until the age of 21 when he enlisted into the United States Army during World War II. On April 11, 1942 Cletus was united in marriage to Gertrude Fecteau at Fort Snelling in St. Paul, MN. Clete continued to serve his country including being stationed in Iceland for three years. Following his honorable discharge in November of 1945, Clete and Gertrude lived and farmed near Gilmore City for a year and later south of Fort Dodge.

In 1950 the couple established their home in Barnum. Cletus farmed for 40 years and also worked for the Fullerton Lumber Yard and later was employed for the Air National Guard in Security. Cletus was a member of St. Joseph Church, the V.F.W. Post 1856 and the American Legion.

Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.