Iola May Thomas
August 18, 1916 - May 30, 2013

Memorials may be directed to the family.

Iola May Strong Thomas, the eldest child of Earl and Della (West) Strong was born near Oakland, Iowa on August 18, 1916.  Iola entered into eternal peace on Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at the Elm Heights Care Center in Shenandoah, Iowa.

She attended schools in Montgomery County.  She was united in marriage to Claude C. Walker on October 21, 1937.  She resided in Taylor County and Page County where they farmed until Claude became ill and was forced into retirement.  The couple was blessed with the birth of four children Carolyn Fern, Charles Eugene, Allan Harold and Dennis Craig.  Carolyn passed away as young child.  

Iola was employed for many years at the Berning Cafe after moving to Shenandoah.  She later took a job at the Shenandoah Farm Supply where she worked for 13 1/2 years until her retirement.  On September 11, 1969 she was united in marriage to Maynard N. Thomas, the couple made their home in Shenandoah.  Some of Iola's passions included gardening, flowers, quilting and crocheting.  She was a kind and considerate mother and grandmother.  She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.  

She was preceded in death by both husbands; her parents; daughter Carolyn; son Dennis Walker; sister Leila Hawhee; brother Lester Strong; a great-grandson in infancy; daughter-in-laws Karen Walker and Debra Walker; brother-in-law Francis Brown; and sister-in-law Beverly Strong.  

Those left to cherish her memory include her sons: Charles Walker of Shenandoah, IA and special friend Carolyn Brown of Bedford, IA and Allan Walker and wife Janice of Great Bend, KS; five grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; sisters Hazel Brown and Betty Pfander and husband Horace all of Bedford, IA; brothers Wayne Strong and wife Katherine of Bedford, IA and Dale Strong of Omaha, NE; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.  

Tributes