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. Â 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. Â She was united in marriage to Claude C. Walker on October 21, 1937. Â She resided in Taylor County and Page County where they farmed until Claude became ill and was forced into retirement. Â The couple was blessed with the birth of four children Carolyn Fern, Charles Eugene, Allan Harold and Dennis Craig. Â Carolyn passed away as young child. Â
Iola was employed for many years at the Berning Cafe after moving to Shenandoah. Â She later took a job at the Shenandoah Farm Supply where she worked for 13 1/2 years until her retirement. Â On September 11, 1969 she was united in marriage to Maynard N. Thomas, the couple made their home in Shenandoah. Â Some of Iola's passions included gardening, flowers, quilting and crocheting. Â She was a kind and considerate mother and grandmother. Â She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. Â
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. Â
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. Â