Herbert Thomas

Funeral Services for Herbert Thomas of Ortonville, Minnesota, will be on Thursday, December 29, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ortonville, Minnesota. Reverend Tim J. Renstrom will be officiating. Visitation will be held at Larson Funeral Home of Ortonville on Wednesday evening, December 28, from 5 – 7 p.m. and at the church one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at Eidskog Cemetery.

Herbert Ervin Thomas was born on January 31, 1927, at his parent's home in Artichoke Township. Herb was the son of Miles and Helen (Danielson) Thomas. He was baptized on April 10, 1927 and later confirmed at Eidskog Lutheran Church. He attended school in District 49.

On February 28, 1946, Herb was united in marriage to Carol Bohlman at the Miles Thomas farm. From this union Cheryl, Randy, and Kelly were born.

Herb farmed in his early years, also farming for the Big Stone Canning Company, and worked with cattle. He worked for the city of Ortonville for 26 years until he retired in 1992. In June of 1992 Carol passed away.

Herb was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and the Moose Lodge. He was proud to be an original founder of the Big Stone Sheriff's Posse and a member of the Tri-State Horsemen's Association.

In his early days, Herb loved Model A Fords and Sedans. His true love was horses and he trained many over the years. He enjoyed riding in parades and on trail rides. Herb was a people person and found great pleasure in visiting with family and friends.

Herb passed away on Wednesday, December 21, 2011, at Fairway View in Ortonville, having reached the age of 84 years.

Cherishing Herb's memory are his children - Cheryl and Doug Mangel of Bellingham, Minnesota, Randy and Claudia Thomas of Osnabrock, North Dakota, Kelly and Clark Mastel of Ortonville, Minnesota; his grandchildren - Darcy Hoag, Shaunda Holt, Kyle Mangel, Eric Thomas, Jennifer Thomas, Miles Thomas, Ben Thomas, Kole Mastel, Danielle Mastel; his great grandchildren - Taylor, Haley, Tommy and Kendall Hoag; Brandon, Joshua, and John Holt; Micah, Morgan, and Ashlyn Mangel; Kinzie, Tyler, Jordyn, Myah, Michael, and Alex Thomas.

Herb was preceded in death by his wife, parents, sister Lorraine Steen, and grandson Miles.