Gerald A. (Jerry) Thoms

Gerald Allen Thoms was born April 20, 1932 near Elmwood, NE; the son of Carl and Rosa (Meyer) Thoms.  He attended Elmwood High School where he played basketball and graduated with the class of 1949.

Gerald was united in marriage to Donna Rae Callaway on April 25, 1953 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Lincoln, NE and to this union four children were born:  Terrance, Sandra, Laura and Jeffrey.  They shared 68 years of their lives together before Donna’s passing on November 22, 2021.

Jerry and Donna lived and farmed near Weeping Water, Avoca and Nehawka.  They managed Thoms Feed and Fertilizer and a Propane Business for 26 years.  Upon their retirement, they moved to Nebraska City.   Gerald was a member of Holy Trinity Church and St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Nebr. City.  He accumulated a host of friends and for those who had time to listen, he enjoyed reminiscing of stories of the Sale Barn working with Kenny Grover, trucking cattle to Omaha and feed on return with Duke and Jeannie, starting weaned calves on Purina pre-con, to changing farming methods and what Bernie needs to fix next.  Gerald generated his own version of neighborhood watch.

He is survived by his children:  Terry Thoms of Avoca, NE, Sandra Bjorkman (Tye) of Edgewood, NM, Laura Grundman (Jim) of Talmage, NE and Jeff Thoms (Lyndi) of Syracuse, NE; nine grandchildren:  Rebecca Hutton, Russell Thoms (Leah), Matthew Hoselton, Ryan Hoselton (Jaclyn), Jaclyn Kreifels (Jason), Rachel Sparks (Derek), Cami Bergman (Seth), Abbey Keim (Tim), Jamie Juilfs (Zach), 20 great grandchildren, sisters-in-law:  Darline Thoms, Shirley Hall (Jim), Kate Callaway and Shirley Callaway; brothers-in-law:  Robert Callaway (Judy), Steve Vukich and Don Frank; nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife Donna, his parents, brother LeRoy Thoms; sister Mariln Vukich; his in-laws:  Raymond and Rosa Callaway; and brothers and sisters-in-law:  Gary and Vicki Callaway, Larry Callaway, Marlin Callaway, Rosella Frank and Faye Amerson; a niece Kathryn Hilgenkamp and best friend Ralph Meyer.

Gerald A. Thoms entered eternal life on February 10, 2023 at Morton Place in Nebraska City.   Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.

A Funeral Mass will be held Monday; February 20, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Nebraska City.  

The family will receive friends on Sunday; February 19, 2023 from 5 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church followed by a prayer service/rosary at 7:00 p.m.

Memorials may be directed to the Thoms family for future designation.

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