Mary Louise Thomas

Mary Louise Thomas, 84, passed away at her residence on Wednesday, February 27, 2008, with her family at her bedside. She was born in Stevens Point, WI on September 3, 1923 the daughter of the late Vernon and Iona (nee: Rasmussen) Allen. Her family moved to Oshkosh, WI when Mary Louise was 14. It was there she later met Herbert E. Thomas. They were married in Denver, CO on November 17, 1942. After WWII they moved back to Oshkosh until moving to Racine in 1960. She had been employed by the Social Security Dept. and the American Red Cross. Along with her husband Herbert, they owned and operated M & H Foods, and Pappy’s Pizza. Mary Louise was a longtime member of St. Edward Catholic Church, the Racine Women’s Club, where she was a past president, and was the Racine Small Business Women of the Year. She was instrumental in passing of the 21 Now Bill, raising the drinking age to 21. She enjoyed playing bridge but her greatest love was spending time with her family. Surviving are her husband, of 65 years, Herbert; their children, Judi Dovorany of Wausau, Pat (Larry) Jozwik of Racine, Kathy (Carl) Rohloff of Brookfield, James Thomas of Racine and Jody (Mike) Andersen of Kansasville; grandchildren, John (Renee) Dovorany, Brian (Abbey) Dovorany, Chris Peterson, Troy (Samarah) Molina, Justin and Michael Jozwik, Molly, Melissa, Michele, Jonathan and Jessica Thomas, Jacob, Kate and Peter Andersen; great grandchildren, Devin, Shana, Olivia, Lauren, Nick, Charlie, Frankie, and Sariyah, sister-in-law Rosemary Allen in Hawaii, and best friends Dave and Donna Zehren. Her nieces, nephews, other relatives and host of friends further survive her. In addition to her parents, her daughter Mary Ann Thomas, brothers, William, Robert and James Allen and sisters, Jane Zimmer and Betty Sims, preceded her in death. Her Memorial Service will be held in the funeral home on Saturday, March 1st at 11:30 a.m. with Rev. Jeffrey M. Thielen officiating. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. A heartfelt note of thanks to the staff Hospice Alliance for the compassionate care and support that was so warmly extended to Mary and to our family; and to Mary’s best friend, Donna Zehren, for the constant care and love that she so affectionately gave. God bless all of you!