Joseph J. Thomas

Joseph James Thomas passed peacefully, surrounded by family, into the loving arms of Jesus on February 27, 2022 at Sanford Medical Center, Fargo, ND. Joe was born on April 25, 1939 the oldest of seven children of John and Rose (Senger) Thomas. It was on the family farm outside of Michigan, ND where the Thomas kids, along with their Senger cousins learned the values of unconditional love and hard work. Joe graduated from Michigan High School in 1957 and went on to earn a degree in Agriculture from North Dakota State University in 1962. He was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity, and it was across the street from the AGR house where he met his future wife Dona Rhines while working in the kitchen of her Kappa Delta sorority house. Following college, he entered the Navy. He was granted a last minute leave for a quick trip home to marry Dona in Michigan, ND on June, 13, 1964. Joe and Dona had three sons, Brian, Kenny, and Mike, and one daughter, Leah. During Joe’s career as an ag loan officer they moved throughout North Dakota making stops in Wahpeton, Bowbells, Rugby, Jamestown, Cooperstown, and ending up back in Wahpeton, with a brief time in Bad Axe, MI. During those years Joe built upon his lifelong love of John Deere tractors by establishing an extensive collection of toy tractors. It provided him both a hobby of attending farm toy shows, and nostalgia collecting the models of the tractors he drove on the family farm. There is a saying that God didn’t make everything green and gold, only the best things. This also applies to his other lifelong passion, Bison Football. As season ticket holders for 28 years, Joe and Dona were faithful attendees and made many memories with their long time tailgate group. Over the years Joe served with the Jaycees, American Legion, NDSU Teammakers, Kiwanis, Wahpeton school board, and Order of the Eastern Star. Joe loved to sing and was a member of the Alphean Male Chorus. He was proud of his Germans from Russia heritage and enjoyed taking classes to learn more about their history. Joe adored his grandkids and was always committed to traveling to attend their various activities. Joe is lovingly remembered by his wife, Dona, children Brian (Kim) Thomas of Columbus, NE, Kenny (Heather) Thomas, of Fargo, Mike Thomas, of Fargo, Leah (Travis) Oye of Carver, MN; his grandchildren Ashley, Josh, Dan, Skylar, Morgen, Airasen, Emerson, and James; 3 great-grandchildren; five siblings and their spouses, and numerous nieces and nephews. Joe was preceded in death by his parents John & Rose Thomas, sister Esther Kemp and grandsons Thomas Senger and Andrew Marvin. A prayer vigil will be held at Boulger Funeral Home on Monday, March 7th, 2022 at 7:00 pm. A funeral will be held at Nativity Catholic Church on Tuesday, March 8th at 2:00 pm, with a reception to follow for family and friends. To see a complete obituary, please visit the Boulger Funeral website. Joe's video tribute can be viewed below: