Obituary of Carol Adele Thomas

Carol Thomas, 88, of Niles, passed away at her home on Thursday, May 10, 2012 with her family by her side. Carol was born on December 23, 1923 to the late Niels and Ethel (Hart) Petersen in Council Bluffs, Iowa. After graduating high school Carol wed Leo B. Curtis and together they had one son. Leo passed away during the war in 1941. She later wed Robert G. Mansfield and together they had one son and two daughters. He passed away suddenly in January of 1974. On February 14, 1989 Carol wed John Thomas at a ceremony in South Haven, Michigan. Together Carol and Robert raised four wonderful children. Christmas was always one of Carol's favorite holidays. She loved family get-togethers and was a true home maker. Carol was a long time member of Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church and the local Eagles Lodge. Though she worked out side of the house taking care of her family was always her priority. She was a waitress at the Pickwick Club and then worked at her mother's bakery, Ethel's Cakes, where she perfected her baking skills. While she was waitressing at Mayhew's Restaurant she even waited on Mickey Mantel. She went on to retire from Peel's Grocery Store. When Carol wasn't working she loved to travel. Her favorite spots were Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Canada and Alaska. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Leo Curtis in 1941, Robert Mansfield in 1974 and John Thomas in September of 2011, one brother and two sisters. Carol is survived by her children Leo (Glenda) Curtis of Niles, Robalyn "Bobbie" (Joe) Benak of Buchanan, William "Bill" (Sue) Mansfield of Niles and Carol Mansfield of Niles, three step-sons John (Nancy) Thomas of Sparta, Michigan, Mark (Anne) Thomas of Lawrence and Paul Thomas of Kalamazoo, 15 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.