Donald Thomas

Donald Thomas September 12, 1946 - November 15, 2009

Donald R. Thomas, age 63, a prominent Bridgewater Township farmer, passed away suddenly on Sunday, November 15, 2009 at the District One Hospital in Faribault from heart failure. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church in Faribault. Interment will be at the Calvary Cemetery in Faribault. Visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home in Faribault on Wednesday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. and on Thursday for one hour prior to the services at the church. Don was born September 12, 1946, the fourth child of Matthew P. and Margaret (Fox) Thomas. He attended Immaculate Conception grade school and graduated from Bethlehem Academy with the class of 1964. He served in the U.S. Army Reserve. On August 1, 1970 he married the love of his life and best friend Betsy Sauber at the All Saints Catholic Church in Lakeville, MN. Don was a grain farmer and livestock producer all of his adult life. He loved the yearly challenge of planting and harvesting against the seasonal changes. His home farm was a Minnesota Century Farm, being in his family for over 140 years. Don was a member of the Dundas Jaycees, J.C. Investment Club, Fredricksberg Dairy''s Young Cooperators, and various Co-Ops including Central Valley and Genesis. He was an avid hunter and spent deer opener every year with family at his cabin in Remer, MN. He enjoyed fishing and pontooning with his grandchildren on Big Bass Lake. Sandbar parties, Christmas fireworks, and bonfire gatherings with family and friends filled his summers and winters between planting and harvesting. In November of 2005, Don was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer and in July of 2008, he learned that it had invaded his bones. His advice to his male friends was always - "make your wife happy, have a PSA test." He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Betsy; his children, Spencer (Katie) of Medina and their children Ava, Parker, and grandson to be born in January; Jesse (Megan) of Faribault and their children, Taylor and Tytan; Matthew (fiance Stefanie Henry) of Faribault; Lesley (Brian Farmer) of Minneapolis and their children, Kaidence and Bennett; and Adam (special friend Becca Gramse) of Faribault; brothers, Matt "Mike" (Judy) Thomas of Medford and Dan (Paula) Thomas of Maple Grove; sister, Sr. Theresa Thomas O.P. of Faribault; sister-in-law, Mary Ann Thomas of Dundas; and many nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Martin Thomas; and in-laws, Arnie and Pat Sauber. Memorials are

preferred to Divine Mercy Catholic School and Bethlehem Academy.