Katherine Thomas

Katherine Louise Ziegenmier Thomas peacefully moved into the Church Triumphant on the afternoon of January 27th, 2017. This was just 3 days before her 100th birthday. Katherine led a very full life. She was born in Sedalia, Missouri but the family moved to St. Louis when she was five. She greatly enjoyed roller skating and had a normal childhood. She survived the tornado of 1927 which hit St. Louis hard. That same year she was among the school children who welcomed back Charles Lindbergh from his historic flight. Then came The Great Depression and she was lucky enough to attend Design School and get a job as a seamstress. She was a loyal member of the ILGWU (International Ladies Garment Workers Union). She married Franklin Thomas on June 10th 1942 during the years of World War II. Katherine had many hobbies: reading, sewing, crocheting, doing crafts, cooking, baking but chief among those were her spirit of volunteerism. She was always busy at school with PTA and more importantly at church. Christy Memorial United Methodist Church was just 1 block from her home and she took advantage of that by volunteering there almost on a daily basis. She did everything from helping in the office to United Methodist Women, to teaching children in Sunday School for many many years, to Bible School, to Coffee Hour, to the Bazaar, and the list goes on... she even was the first person to arrive at church on Sunday mornings as she regularly unlocked the doors. In 1999 she moved to Indiana to live with her daughter, Nilene, and her family. There she became active at her "new" church and babysat children for many years. In June of 2016 the family moved to Westfield, Indiana to be closer to her granddaughter, Amie, and her family. Though Katherine was unable to attend church, she always wanted to know the news from church and what the sermon was about. She became member of St. Luke's United Methodist Church in the fall of 2016. We ask that in lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. Luke's United Methodist Church; 100 West 86th Street; Indianapolis, Indiana. 46260. All gifts will be used to benefit the Children's Department. Katherine is survived by her daughter, Nilene Schurig; grandchildren-Amie (Schurig) Pratt (Scott); Michael Schurig; great-grandchildren who called her GG: Reese Pratt and Landon Pratt; two wonderful nephews: Henry (Hank) Ziegenmier (Ann) and Jim Ziegenmier (Kathy) and many great nieces and nephews and a host of friends. Katherine will be greatly missed but will be celebrating her birthday in heaven with family members who passed before her: parents-Ben and Rose Ziegenmier, brothers Henry (Dodi) and Morley and beloved son-in-law, Jim Schurig. In addition to cousins, friends and others---what a party it will be in heaven! Again, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Luke's United Methodist Church at 100 West 86th Street; Indianapolis, Indiana. 46260 Services: Visitation at John L. Ziegenhein & Sons Funeral Home, 7027 Gravois Avenue, St. Louis, MO (63116) on Wednesday, February 1, 2017 from 10:00 am to 1:15 pm, then leaving to National Cemetery, Jefferson Barracks, Missouri for chapel funeral services at 1:45 pm Wednesday (2/1/17). February 01, 2017
10:00 am - 01:15 pm
John L. Ziegenhein & Sons Funeral Home
7027 Gravois Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63116
February 01, 2017
01:45 pm -
Chapel of National Cemetery, Jefferson Barracks, Missouri
2900 Sheridan Road, Jefferson Barracks, Missouri 63125