April 26, 1909-June 10, 2006
Norma Banke Thomas, 97, died on June 10, 2006.
She was born on April 26, 1909 in Palermo, N.D., the daughter of Henry and Neelie Jenson. She attended schools in Minot, N.D., and graduated from Minot State Teacher’s College.
She taught in North Dakota and Howard Lake, Minn., where she met and married E.C. (Bud) Banke on June 15, 1935. He died in 1976. They had moved to Sweet Home in 1947 and owned and operated grocery and variety stores until their retirement in 1974.
In September 1979, Mrs. Thomas married Donald J. Thomas, a retired Army officer from Scottsdale, Ariz.
Mrs. Thomas embraced the communities of Sweet Home and Fir Lawn Lutheran Church. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas helped organize the Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors. She was BPW Woman of the Year in 1977. She was one of the last surviving charter members of Fir Lawn Lutheran, where she served as senior and junior choir director. She was an Elkette and active in the Miss Linn County pageants and Splinters talent shows.
Mrs. Thomas was preceded in death by her son, Bruce Banke.
She is survived by her husband, Don; son, Robert Banke of Seattle, Wash.; stepdaughter, Sharon Lewis of Blaine, Wash.; stepson, Jerry Thomas of Palm Desert, Calif.; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
The family gave special thanks to niece Sandie Walker of Sweet Home for her care and support throughout the years.
Services will begin at 1 p.m. on June 14 at Fir Lawn Lutheran Church. Graveside service and reception will follow.
Memorials may be given to Fir Lawn Lutheran or Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital in care of the Workman & Steckly Funeral Chapel, 1443 Long St., Sweet Home, OR 97386.