A Life Story

Betty M. Thomas, beloved mother, grandmother, and sister, passed away peacefully on August 20, 2025, surrounded by her family and under the care of hospice. She was born on July 4, 1933, in Lanesboro Village, Fillmore County, Minnesota, to Stella Rasmussen and James E. Mindrum. Betty was preceded in death by her devoted husband, Jack N. Thomas, Sr., with whom she shared a lifetime of love, as well as by her parents. She is survived by her brother, James W. Mindrum (LaVonne), and her sister, Barbara J. Schroeder. Betty's greatest joy was her family. She leaves behind five children: Betty JoAnn Thomas; Jacqueline Necaunia (Dale Boatright); Stella Thomas Lavin (James P. Lavin); Jack N. Thomas, Jr. (Melanie Thomas); and Debra Thomas Niven (Larry R. Niven). She was the proud grandmother of 16 grandchildren, great-grandmother of 25, and great-great-grandmother of 9. She was also deeply loved by many nieces and nephews. A homemaker at heart, Betty was also a gifted seamstress. She had a remarkable talent for basket weaving and crafted beautiful porcelain dolls, treasured by many. In the 1970s, she managed Hancock Fabrics before moving to Virginia and later to Aurora, North Carolina, where she worked for the City of Aurora. Betty was an active member of the Women's Club in Aurora, where she was honored as Woman of the Year for her dedicated community involvement. She generously gave her time in volunteer roles and shared her love of cooking by contributing recipes to numerous community, church, and Women's Club cookbooks. Betty will be remembered for her devotion to her family, her creative gifts, her service to others, and the countless lives she touched with her kindness and warmth.