Anne Ingeborg Thomas, 100

Anne Ingeborg Thomas, 100, passed away Wednesday, July 2, 2008, at the Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell.

Anne was born in a sod house Nov.10, 1907, to Lars and Henrikka Soiseth, immigrants from Norway, who had homesteaded on the prairie of North Dakota. Anne was the second of eight children, John, Christ, Hazel, Louise, Margaret, Leonard and Inga. She attended a country school, riding bareback on her horse, Beauty, and went on to high school in Grand Forks, N.D.

The Soiseth home was a gathering place for friends and neighbors, with Lars playing the fiddle. Anne helped raise her siblings and served as a midwife, which was needed on the prairie at that time. She always expressed the wish to be a nurse. Once she completed her schooling, she lived with various families as a housekeeper until she moved to Williston, N.D.

She married her first husband, Ben Johnson, with whom she had one daughter, Dorinne Anne Bernice Johnson; her second husband, James W. Ryan, with whom she had five children, James W. Ryan, LeRoy H. Ryan, Margaret G. Ryan-Young, Patrick J. Ryan and Andrea E. Ryan-Halden; and her third husband, Hubert E. Thomas, who brought his four children into her life for her to nurture, Ronald A. Thomas, Richard Thomas, William "Billy" W. Thomas and Gary E. Thomas.

While married to James Ryan, she moved to Columbia Falls, in hopes of a better future. James Ryan was killed while working on the Hungry Horse Dam, and she continued working at the Columbia Falls Post Office and raising her children. She later married Hubert Thomas and was able to be a stay-at-home mother. Her children always came home to fresh-baked bread, cinnamon rolls and fry bread. She was a terrific cook and the best mother and grandmother anyone could have had. Anytime her children came home and called, "Mom!" there was always an answer of "I'm here, honey."

Her life was a long journey of love, compassion, and help for whomever needed it, be it a friend or stranger. From what is stated from those who knew her, she never said an ill word about anyone. She always stated that you should look for the good in people; try not to judge.

She was a very Christian woman, a founding member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Columbia Falls, and continued to go to services, as much as she was able, until her death. She loved her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended family above all else. They were constantly in her thoughts and prayers.

Anne also was a founding member of the North Valley Senior Citizens Association, where she spent much time in her later years. Because of her advancing age, she decided she wanted to move into the Immanuel Lutheran Home in 2004, at the age of 97. She was very happy there, with many friends from her past years in Columbia Falls, and making new ones, again helping other senior folks as much as she could. She was loved by the personnel and will sorely be missed by all at the Immanuel Lutheran Home.

Anne was preceded in death by her father; her mother, who died at the age of 105; her brothers, John Soiseth and Christ Soiseth; her sisters, Louise Soiseth and Inga Crail; her three husbands, Ben Johnson, James Ryan and Hubert Thomas; and two of her children, Richard Thomas and William "Billy" Thomas.

Cremation has taken place, and there will be a celebratory memorial service at 10 a.m. Monday, July 14, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Columbia Falls. Pastor Peter Erickson will officiate. A reception will be after the service at the church. All who knew her are welcome to come and celebrate her life.

In lieu of flowers, Anne and her family would request that anyone who wishes to make a memorial donation would make it to the church fund of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Columbia Falls, or to Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell.

Arrangements are with Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls.