Harold and Catherine Thomas (died 1997)

THOMAS, KROUTH

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 6/8/2026 at 07:31:22

The Tipton Conservative - April 2, 1997 page 14

Funeral services for Harold A. "Bus" Thomas, 93, and Catherine Krouth "Kate" Thomas, 93, West Branch, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 5, 1997 at the Friends Church in West Branch, with burial in the Hickory Grove cemetery at Scattergood School, West Branch.

Harold Thomas died March 28 at Crestview Care Center in West Branch, following an extended illness.

Catherine Thomas died March 31 at Crestview Care Center, following an extended illness.

The son of Emory H. and Pauline McKinney Thomas, Harold was born Nov. 29, 1903 in West Branch. He graduated from West Branch high school in 1922. He married Catherine Krouth Jan. 3, 1924 in Rock Island, Ill.

Mr. Thomas was a longtime employee of the West Branch post office, retiring in 1965.

He was a member of the Conservative Friends Meeting of West Branch.

Mr. Thomas enjoyed visiting with people and often told stories about talking with Civil War veterans when he was a young boy. He told stories about breaking wild mustangs in Montana and bringing them to West Branch on the train. He also talked about teaching farmers to drive cars in the early days of the automobile and about meeting 7 presidents.

He had numerous albums filled with photos and memorabilia from the early days of West Branch. Much of his collection was donated to the Hoover Library.

The daughter of Frank A. and Jessie Jackson Krough, Catherine was born Oct. 7, 1903 in West Branch. She graduated from West Branch high school in 1922. She married Harold A. "Bus" Thomas Jan. 3, 1924 in Rock Island, Ill.

She was employed for several years in the University of Iowa dietary department, retiring in 1968.

Mrs. Thomas was a member of the Conservative Friends Meeting in West Branch.

She enjoyed genealogy, gardening and traveling. She loved birds and wildflowers. She and her husband enjoyed big band music and she was known as an excellent dancer.

The couple is survived by 2 sons, Phillip A. Thomas, Edwards, Mo.; and Kenenth "Chief" Thomas, West Branch; 10 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

Mr. Thomas was preceded in death by a brother, Floyd, and a sister, Alberta.

Mrs. Thomas was preceded in death by her husband March 28 and 3 brothers.