Edna Thomas

Edna E. Thomas, 88, of Colona, IL, died Friday, April 19, 2013, at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, Bettendorf, IA.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd. 6601-38th Avenue, Moline. Visitation is from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Greenview Memorial Gardens, East Moline. Memorials may be made to the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House or the Alzheimer's Association.

Edna was born on April 29, 1924, in Zebulon, NC, the daughter of William E. and Luna F. (Wells) Evans. Growing up in Zebulon, Edna was the daughter of share croppers, from a young age she worked on the farm planting tobacco and cotton. She left school during the 8th grade to work full time. Edna married Kenneth Brubaker in Moline on January 10, 1944; she later married Dwight Thomas on June 18, 1955 in Moline.

While raising her children Edna worked cleaning houses, she was later employed by the National Licorice Factory for 15 years, and after retirement she went on to tend bar at the Holiday Inn for 6 more years. She was a very proud member of the American Business Women's Association. Edna enjoyed bowling, sewing, doing hand crafts, and oil painting. She especially loved caring for and spending time with her family and friends.

SURVIVORS
Husband Dwight "Pinky"
Children Wayne E. Brubaker Rock Island
Kenneth R. (Amy) Brubaker Huntington Beach, CA
Pauline "Polly" Brubaker (Edward) Thune Colona
11 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, 5 great, great grandchildren
5 nephews and 11 nieces

She was preceded in death by her mother, father; 2 brothers, Van Gordon and William Clyde; 3 sisters, Mary, Margaret Lou and Luna.

Online condolences may be left for her family by visiting esterdahl.com.