Anna Jane Holmes Thoms

Anna Jane Holmes Thoms, age 84, of Tecumseh, Kansas, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Saturday, January 20, 2024.

Anna is survived by her husband, Dr. Norman Thoms, and their three daughters, Sharon Stringfellow-Joseph (Simon), Alice "Ali" Krantz (Hendrik), and Galena "Gael" Ostenson (John); her seven grandchildren, Christian Stringfellow (Chelsea), Hannah Joy Stringfellow Chavez (Lucas), Mary Stringfellow, Luke Ostenson, Lydianna "Lydia" Ostenson, Joeli Krantz Forbes (Caden), and Abigael "Abi" Ostenson; and her four great-grandchildren, Lawrence Chavez, Isla Stringfellow, Wells Chavez, and Theodore "Teddy" Chavez. She is also survived by two foreign exchange students who lived with the family in 1979-1980 and 1982-1983 respectively, Chantal Robichaud of Montreal, Canada, and Javier Marrero of Tenerife, Canary Islands/Spain. She is predeceased by her parents Martha (Freshour) and Stanley Holmes; sister, Julia Holmes Ward (Sam); son-in-law, Joseph Lawrence "Larry" Stringfellow, and other in-laws, aunts and uncles, cousins, and a nephew.

Anna was born on April 3, 1939 in Mason, Michigan to Martha and Stanley Holmes, the second of their two daughters. In high school she excelled in music, winning awards for her saxophone playing and singing in the women's quartet, and was a Homecoming Queen finalist. She worked at Ware's Drug Store and saved her earnings to eventually purchase her own first car, a red 1956 Plymouth Belvedere. After graduating from Mason High School in 1957, she moved to Detroit, Michigan, to study nursing at the Henry Ford Hospital School of Nursing and graduated from their Registered Nurse program in 1960. Her first job as a nurse was at the Dearborn VA Hospital in Dearborn, Michigan. While working there she caught the attention of a surgical resident, Norman Thoms. Despite Anna "being busy" the first time he asked her to go on a date, Norm persisted, and after Anna checked around and learned he was a good man, she accepted his invitation and their love story began. They were married on Friday, June 22, 1962, at the First Baptist Church in Mason, Michigan. After honeymooning in the British Isles, fulfilling a dream for Anna who cherished her Irish and Scottish heritage, the couple briefly settled in Fort Campbell in Kentucky where Norm was part of the 101st Airborne unit. While there, Anna studied at Austin Peay College. They moved to the Panama Canal Zone, where Norm was deployed as an Army doctor and their first daughter was born. After discharging from the Army, the family moved to Oman to assist Norman's parents, Wells and Beth Thoms, in their medical missionary work with the Reformed Church of America. Anna assisted as a nurse and Norm as a doctor. Their second daughter was born in Oman. In 1965, the family returned to the United States and settled in Detroit, Michigan and Norman began his thoracic surgical residency. Their third daughter was born in Detroit. Anna dedicated her time to being a mother and home manager. Anna also volunteered her nursing skills at a drug abuse clinic run by their church. In 1975, the family moved to Topeka, Kansas, where Norman started heart surgery at Stormont-Vail Hospital and Anna dedicated herself to raising their children, managing the home, finances, land and animals, and volunteering in various capacities. Desiring to expand her skills in life interests, Anna took accounting courses and completed a horticulture program at the Kaw Area Vocational Technical School. Anna served as Worthy Matron for the Helena Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, and she also worked as a secretary in the Kansas Grand Chapter office. Over their almost fifty years in Topeka, she was affiliated with Tecumseh United Methodist, Country Chapel, Wanamaker Woods Church of the Nazarene, and Topeka First Assembly of God Church, serving in areas of music, Sunday school, and lay ministry.

Anna enjoyed life and a good laugh. She found pleasure in traveling, singing, playing the piano and organ, listening to music - especially the bagpipes and Eddy Arnold, reading the daily newspaper, writing detailed letters to loved ones, eating ice cream with caramel on top, sewing, making crochet, macramé, and tatting projects, baking bread and pies, correcting our grammar, supporting the Michigan State Spartans and Magic Johnson, square dancing with Norman, and being Grannie Annie, playing with her seven grandchildren and taking them all on summer trips to Michigan. She was intentional in the lessons she sought to instill in her children and grandchildren: to love God, to be kind and compassionate, to be humble, to care for those less fortunate, to value work, to be a good steward of money, time, and talents, and to love our country and honor those who serve in the military.

Anna was involved in many activities of ministering to others, including making quilts for abused and neglected children, fellowshipping with veterans struggling with PTSD, serving as Mother Advisor in the Rainbow Girls organization, teaching literacy, twice hosting year-long AFS foreign exchange students, and serving at the Topeka Rescue Mission. After hearing Barry Feaker speak at church in 1987 about the needs of the Topeka Rescue Mission and the homeless, she responded to his request for office help and showed up at the Rescue Mission the following morning. She was his first executive assistant and was instrumental in the development of the first construction project now known as the main shelter facility. Among her fondest memories at the Rescue Mission were her interactions with the guests and residents: the shared meals, chapel services, hugs, and personal conversations with them. Fully characteristic of Anna, she would give her full attention and encouragement to the one in front of her.

Anna was a true country girl, very proud of her family's farming heritage, and her happy place was being outdoors in God's beautiful creation, caring for her horses and working in the yard with an axe in one hand and a saw in the other. She found great peace and relaxation in spending time with her beloved, senior Appaloosa horse, Geronimo. In 1998, Anna was overjoyed when the opportunity arose to move with Norman to a 160-acre ranch in Tecumseh, Kansas. Thanking God for their place in the country, she named their homestead God's Gracious Gift and had a giant "G-G-G Ranch" painted on the roof of their largest barn. Anna truly received God's most gracious gift on January 20 while holding Norman's hand, and listening to her family sing How Great Thou Art, "When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation, and take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!" as she entered into His eternal presence.

The family would like to express our thanks for the wonderful help and care given by Midland Hospice, Home Instead, Grace Home Care, and Phoenix Home Care and Hospice.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, February 23, 2024 at 3:00 pm at Topeka First Assembly of God Church in Topeka, Kansas, 500 SW 27th Street, Topeka, KS 66611. The Rev. Mike Swendson and the Rev. Barry Feaker will be officiating. All are invited to join the family following the service for food and fellowship. Anna will be laid to rest at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Mason, Michigan, at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to The Topeka Rescue Mission, 600 N. Kansas Avenue, Topeka, KS 66608, https://www.trmonline.org