Greta Thomae

View the funeral service live stream: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell-Family-Funeral-Home-99280714047/ Greta Thomae, age 87, of Marshalltown, formerly of Rhodes, passed away on Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 at the Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames.          Private graveside services will be held at the Maple Hill Cemetery north of Gladbrook. For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com . The Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Greta and her family. Ph. 641-844-1234. Memorials can be directed to the Iowa River Hospice or Hope United Methodist Church.           Born Greta Mae Evens on January 27th, 1933, in Radcliffe, Iowa, she was the only child born to Robert and Flossie (Ploen) Evens. Greta graduated from the Gladbrook High School and later Gates Business College in Waterloo.          While at Gladbrook High School, she met a handsome young boy two years older by the name of William “Bill” Thomae. The two were united in marriage on April 5th, 1952 at the Gladbrook United Methodist Church. They farmed at Gladbrook on his mother’s place until moving to Rhodes. Greta was employed as a credit manager at Iowa Wholesale Supply for over 30 years.          Greta thoroughly enjoyed life- entertaining friends and family with her formal dishes at the home and sharing God’s work by sheparding to other churches. She was active in the Methodist Church in Gladbrook and Rhodes, Hope United Methodist Church in Marshalltown and in the Waterloo Methodist District.  She was a longtime member of the American Legion Axillary in Gladbrook.  She was a former Rhodes Council member, the Rhodes Centennial committee member, S.S.S.S. Club, 50 year club of Melbourne and served on the Community Nursing Services and Iowa Elections Board. Greta was an avid reader and served as a volunteer at the Marshalltown Public Library.  She enjoyed knitting and made hundreds of hats for children.  She dearly loved her family and had many quotes that were from her heart - when Bill passed away, she said she could choose continue life being sad or happy….and she was choosing happy. Always have a good outlook on life!          Greta was nicknamed “The Senator’s Wife” for the formal attire she wore when visiting daughter Dolona in Des Moines. She was noted for her hats and sense of humor. At home, she canned, gardened, camped and enjoyed her daily phone call from Bob- especially when he told her the stock market was up!          Left to cherish her memory is her children: Delaine Aves, Dewaine Thomae and Bob (Joy) Thomae all of Marshalltown; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren and one on the way, as well as her family at Bickford Cottages and many friends.          In death, Greta rejoined her parents, husband Bill and daughter Dolona.