1932
Benedict
2011
Benedict Thoma
December 4, 1932 — October 10, 2011
Benedict "Ben" Lloyd Thoma, 78, of Willmar, died Monday, October 10, at Bethesda Pleasant View Nursing Home in Willmar.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, Oct. 17, at the Church of St. Mary. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church with a Daughters of Isabella rosary beginning at 10:00 AM. Memorials to St. Mary's Foundation, Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center or Kandiyohi County Historical Society are preferred. Arrangements are with Peterson Brothers Funeral Home.
Ben was born on December 4, 1932, in Little Falls, Minnesota, the son of Joseph and Hildegard (Smith) Thoma. He grew up in St. Paul, graduated from Murray High School in 1951, the University of Minnesota - Minneapolis with a Bachlor of Science degree in Education and received his Masters degree in Biology at the University of Northern Iowa. He taught science in Bricelyn and Harmony, Minnesota and also in Superior, Wisconsin. On June 15, 1957, Ben was united in marriage to Louise M. Hausotter. In 1962, they moved to Willmar and Ben became the first biology professor at the Willmar Community College when it opened. He established the nature area at the Willmar campus. After teaching for 35 years, he retired in 1997. During the summer months from 1959 to 1994, Ben worked as a seasonal Park Naturalist at Itasca State Park.
Ben was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, the Kandiyohi County Historical Society, a life member of Friends of Itasca, a member of the board of directors of the Minnesota Prairie Chicken Society, a founding board member of Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center and the Nature Conservancy Board of Trustees. Ben founded and conducted the Willmar Christmas bird count for over 35 years.
Ben was a former Scout Master of St. Mary's troop #227. He enjoyed woodworking, planting trees, building bird houses and routing informational signs for Itasca State Park and the Nature Conservancy.
He is survived by his faithful loving wife of over 54 years, Louise; his three sons, Edward (and Linda Vanderwerf) Thoma of Mankato, William (and Janet) Thoma of Pleasanton, CA. and David (and Brenda) Thoma of Annandale; two grandchildren, Grant and Lauren Thoma and one sister, Thelma Thoma of St. Paul, and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Joseph Allen and Glen Thoma.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, Oct. 17, at the Church of St. Mary. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church with a Daughters of Isabella rosary beginning at 10:00 AM. Memorials to St. Mary's Foundation, Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center or Kandiyohi County Historical Society are preferred. Arrangements are with Peterson Brothers Funeral Home.
Ben was born on December 4, 1932, in Little Falls, Minnesota, the son of Joseph and Hildegard (Smith) Thoma. He grew up in St. Paul, graduated from Murray High School in 1951, the University of Minnesota - Minneapolis with a Bachlor of Science degree in Education and received his Masters degree in Biology at the University of Northern Iowa. He taught science in Bricelyn and Harmony, Minnesota and also in Superior, Wisconsin. On June 15, 1957, Ben was united in marriage to Louise M. Hausotter. In 1962, they moved to Willmar and Ben became the first biology professor at the Willmar Community College when it opened. He established the nature area at the Willmar campus. After teaching for 35 years, he retired in 1997. During the summer months from 1959 to 1994, Ben worked as a seasonal Park Naturalist at Itasca State Park.
Ben was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, the Kandiyohi County Historical Society, a life member of Friends of Itasca, a member of the board of directors of the Minnesota Prairie Chicken Society, a founding board member of Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center and the Nature Conservancy Board of Trustees. Ben founded and conducted the Willmar Christmas bird count for over 35 years.
Ben was a former Scout Master of St. Mary's troop #227. He enjoyed woodworking, planting trees, building bird houses and routing informational signs for Itasca State Park and the Nature Conservancy.
He is survived by his faithful loving wife of over 54 years, Louise; his three sons, Edward (and Linda Vanderwerf) Thoma of Mankato, William (and Janet) Thoma of Pleasanton, CA. and David (and Brenda) Thoma of Annandale; two grandchildren, Grant and Lauren Thoma and one sister, Thelma Thoma of St. Paul, and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Joseph Allen and Glen Thoma.
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