Marcella Thomas

Marcella May Thomas, 96, Oakwood Care Center, Clear Lake, Iowa, died Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013 at the Oakwood Care Center.

Per Marcella’s wishes, cremation rites have accorded and a graveside service will be held 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 27, 2013 at Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City, Iowa, with Pastor Ed Bard officiating.  Memorials may be given to Marcella Thomas Memorial Fund, c/o Signe Elliott, 13413 Lillian St., Omaha, Neb. 68138.

Marcella was born Jan. 4, 1917 in Fort Dodge, Iowa, the daughter of Hubert and Violet (Usher) Jackson.  Her mother, Violet, later married Charles Adams, and Marcella greatly appreciated his relationship with her as step father.  She attended country school in Clear Lake.  Her mother had Ma’s Café in Clear Lake, where as a teenager Marcella was a pie baker and waitress.  

Marcella married Charles H. Thomas in 1933 at Albert Lea, Minn.  They lived in Clear Lake, Mason City and Hampton, Iowa.  Over the years she was a member of the Eastern Star and Foster Care Group for the Lutheran Welfare Babies.  She loved reading and saving cookbooks.  She was a housemother for the YMCA in Mason City for 26 years.

     Marcella has attended the Christian Church in Hampton and more currently Faith Lutheran in Miller, Iowa.  

     Marcella is survived by her three granddaughters, Deborah Sweeney, Center Point, Iowa, Signe Elliott, Omaha, Neb., and Nadine Pettit, Mount Vernon, Iowa ; seven great-grandchildren and 15 great-great-grandchildren;  great nieces and nephews; and foster son, Fred Barlow, Mason City. 

     Marcella was preceded in death by her parents; husband (1975); daughter, Norma Jean Gilbert (2007); granddaughter, Karen Sue Wild; brothers, Andrew and Fred Jackson; and sister, Rachael Johnson.  

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.