Karon "Ma" (Brasel) Thomas

Karon “Ma” Thomas, 68, of Aberdeen, passed away Monday, November 28, 2016, at her home.

Mass of Christian burial will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 3, 2016, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 409 2nd Avenue NE, Aberdeen, with Father Mark Axtmann as celebrant.

Interment will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary & Crematory, Aberdeen, is handling arrangements.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., Friday, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, with a liturgical wake service at 7:00 p.m.  Visitation continues one hour before Mass on Saturday.  No visitation will take place at the mortuary.

To honor Karon’s final wishes, please wear racing apparel to her service.

Karon (Brasel) Thomas was born on August 19, 1948, to Elmer and Goldyne (Zander) Brasel in Sioux Falls, SD.  She was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic Church and lived in Sioux Falls until the age of 17, when she moved to Aberdeen.  It was while living in Aberdeen that she met the love of her life, Rich Thomas.  They were united in marriage and shared over 50 years of love and companionship together.  Their union was blessed with five children:  Don, David, Todd, Liza, and Sheila; 15 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.  In addition to being a wife and mother, Karon was also employed with Control Data for 15 years before beginning Casino work for a total of 18 years.

After all their children had left home, Karon and Rich were blessed to have their granddaughter, Amanda, live with them for three years while attending college.  With Amanda, came a precious white dog named “Daisy” whom quickly became Rich & Karon’s pride and joy.

Karon’s illness began eight years ago and her journey since then was filled with good days of feeling well and then some not so good days.  Through it all, she fought her illness with dignity and courage, until recently, when the pain became just too much for her.  It was during the lowest points on her journey that she wanted to be around people.  Some of her happiest memories during the past few years were having coffee every morning at 5:00 a.m. with her very special coffee buddies at Marlin’s.

Karon was a wonderful cook and will always be remembered for making her fantastic fudge. When she wasn’t working or cooking for her family, she loved playing Bingo.  One of Karon’s greatest enjoyments, however, was car racing and she was especially passionate about watching her 75-yr old husband, “The Legend Rich Thomas”, race.  Everyone knew when “Ma Thomas” was at the races and many of the drivers undoubtedly have their favorite stories about her!  Karon truly had a heart and soul of gold, but look out when she got mad!  One of Ma’s final requests was that no tears be shed and to remember that she will always be watching from up above.

Grateful for sharing in Ma’s life is her husband, Rich Thomas of Aberdeen; her children:  Don (Marcie) Thomas and their children: Shane, April, Amber and Alisha, Dave (Lesia) Thomas and their children:  Shelby, Scott and Sarah, Todd (Terry) Thomas and their children:  Jason, Jennifer, Janeen, Tyler and Teisha, Liza (Scott) Wade and their children:  Amanda and Alison, and Sheila (Jim) Prevatke and their children:  Marissa and Josh; her sister, Cheryl (Clete) Friessen; her brother, Larry Brasel; sister-in-law, Carmelita (Dennis) Sauer; nieces and nephews:  Randy, Missy, Shawn, Sarah and Katie; and her special friends:  Donna Tichi, Mary Malsom, Janet Feiock, Gloria, Mary, Mitch, and Jim Armend, Rod, Stacey and Larry, Judy and Mick Brick, Pat and Lyle Feiock, and all of her Bingo Buddies.

Karon is preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Goldyne Brasel; her in-laws, Matt, Doris and Ella Thomas; her brother, Terry Brasel; her sister, Dawn Schilhauer; granddaughter, Amy Thomas; grandson, Jason Jorvig, nephew, Terry Friessen; and several aunts and uncles.