Anita "Susie" Thomas

Anita F. “Susie” Thomas age 81 (Susie would claim 39) of Detroit Lakes, MN died May 11, 2017 at her residence. Anita Florence Thomas was born June 14, 1935 in rural Osage, MN to William and Gertrude (Anderson) Hanson. She attended Country School near her home and later graduated from Frazee High School. She then worked for Wilcox Lumber in Detroit Lakes. On August 9, 1956 she was united in marriage to Jim Thomas in Detroit Lakes, MN. They made their home in Detroit Lakes, where Susie and Jim owned and operated Thomas Fire Equipment. Susie later worked for Becker County Hazardous Waste. Susie loved people. She enjoyed the opportunity to visit with people, and those visits often began and ended with a hug. She loved time spent with her family. She was also an avid sports fan. She and Jim rarely missed a Laker game of any kind. On Saturday May 6th she celebrated her life with her family and her many friends. She is survived by her husband Deacon Jim; three daughters, Teresa (Drew) Brooks, of Roseville, MN; Jane (Patrick) Thielen, of Lino Lakes, MN; and Rebecca (Jerry) Bentley, Of Detroit Lakes, MN; two sons, Paul (Diane) Thomas, of Burnsville, MN; and Sam (Lani) Thomas, of Detroit Lakes, MN; fifteen grandchildren, Clare Brooks, Rachel Brooks, Brittani and Dave (Thielen) Curtis, Renata and Seth (Thielen) Whitlock, Ben Thielen, Becca Thielen, Macey and Nate (Bentley) Schaefbauer, Max Bentley, Dana Bentley, Casey Schmit, Christian Schmit, Chloe Schmit, Jacob Thomas, Shea Thomas, and Tyson Thomas; two great grandchildren, Ceanna Curtis and Addilynn Curtis; and two brothers, Billy (Opal) Hanson, and Dicky (Sandy) Hanson. She was preceded in death by, one daughter, Elizabeth Thomas Schmit; one grandson, Bryan Thomas; one brother, Dean Hanson; and her parents.Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers.