Eva Mary Lenzen Thomason

Eva Mary Lenzen Thomason, 92, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Nov. 19, at her Fort Collins, Colo., home surrounded by her family. She was born in Sidney on March 28, 1923 and graduated from St. Patrick's Catholic Academy. She graduated from St. Joseph's Hospital School of Nursing in 1944 and was a nurse at Fitzsimons Army Hospital in Denver and at Sidney Memorial Hospital. While in Denver, she met the love of her life, Galen A. Thomason. They married July 10, 1945 and spent the next 70 years traveling, exploring, and raising five children. During frequent military transfers, she maintained order in chaos, moving kids, cats, gerbils, and household goods cross country solo, never leaving any of them behind. She lived in numerous states including Hawaii, as well as Japan, and was always involved in local cultural activities. She was a long-time volunteer in community and church organizations, including Girl and Boy Scouts, the Red Cross, St. Vincent de Paul thrift stores. She and Galen were foster parents to six infants over a period of two tours of duty in South Carolina and Hawaii. Eva also enjoyed university extension classes and learning until her final hours, and insisted that her children receive as much advanced education as possible. A voracious reader of history and non-fiction, at the time of her death she had nearly completed the Memoirs of General Ulysses S. Grant and associated books about military strategy. After Galen retired from the Air Force, they moved several more times and continued to enjoy travel, going to Germany and Korea as well as many of the 50 states. After retiring the final time, they moved to Ft. Collins, where they were members of the Front Range Forum, the Senior Center, and the local chapter of the United Nations Association. Eva is survived by her children Gail Thomason (Tom Jaeger) of Fort Collins, Colo .; Gregory (Margie) Thomason of San Mateo, Calif .; Kathryn (Jeff) Kimmons of Alexandria, Va .; Michael (Young Sun) Thomason of Pueblo, Colo.rado; Therese Offineer of Austin, TX; son-in-law James H. Harmon of Denver; and eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband of 70 years, Galen Thomason, and brothers Arthur, Thomas, and Jerome Lenzen, all of Sidney. She is survived by brothers-in-law Vern Thomason and Francis Thomason and sisters-in-law Linda Lenzen and Diana Thomason. The Thomason family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses, therapists, and staff of Poudre Valley Hospital, Pathways Hospice, and Home Instead for their loving care of Eva in recent years. Donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org), Pathways Hospice (www.pathways-care.org), the United Nations Foundation Measles & Rubella Initiative (www.unfoundation.org/what-we-do/campaigns-and-initiatives/measles-initiative/), the EMTs through the Poudre Valley Foundation ([email protected]), or Meals on Wheels Ft. Collins (www.fcmow.org). Eva was a strong, smart, energetic woman who never forgot a person, a face, or a commitment. She remained mentally sharp and competent to the very end, with a great sense of humor. She was a classy woman and looked like a million bucks (a la Audrey Hepburn), whether volunteering at a Girl Scout camping trip or accompanying Galen to a military function. As a nurse, she had worked with people who came home from war and always emphasized to us how fortunate we were. In addition, she and Galen taught their children to see others without prejudice, bias, or preconceived notions. She was unfailingly courteous, thanked everyone who helped her, and taught her children the value of a grateful heart. There truly was no place in the world better than their home.

Services by Allnutt Funeral Service, Ft. Collins. Please visit Eva's online memorial at http://www.allnutt.com.