Funeral services for Alice Thomas, age 87, of Faith, SD will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, September 7, 2012 at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Faith. Pastor Wayne Olson will officiate with burial at 2:00 p.m. at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, SD.


Alice Irene Perkins was born on March 23, 1925 in Abbotsford, WI to Lou Albert and Anna (Lurinda) Marie Lemke Perkins. She was raised near Lantry South Dakota. She graduated from Dupree High School in 1943 and went onto Black Hills Teacher's College where she graduated with an Associate's Degree in Education in 1946. She married the love of her life Duane Arlee Thomas on December 8, 1945. Three children were born to this union; Renee on October 28, 1949, Randy on December 9, 1952, and Kurt on November 15, 1954. Alice taught elementary school at Dupree and Soliday until they moved to Mobridge, SD in 1955. A couple years later they moved to Underwood, ND.


In 1962 they moved to Faith, SD where they bought share of Faith Lumber and Duane took over management. Alice took over the book keeping records at Faith Lumber in 1963 until 1988. During her years at Faith Lumber she became a very active member of the American Legion Auxiliary where she dedicated many hours to planning and organizing functions most notably Memorial Day Services. She was a member of the Bethel Lutheran Church and very active in all the ladies activities. She became a very proactive member of the Order of the Eastern Star. Duane and Alice drove many miles attending events related to the Mason's and the Order of the Eastern Star.


Alice and Duane loved to travel in their Motor home visiting all 50 states along the way. Alice loved listening and dancing to music, playing cards, teddy bears, and spending time with family. It wasn't Christmas unless the kids, grandkids, and great grandkids where there to share. Her passion for roses, butterflies, and cooking will be remembered by all. Alice and Duane were avid sports fans they loved to watch kids play football, basketball, softball, track, or cross country and drove many miles attending these activities.


Alice passed away on Saturday, September 1, 2012 at the Five Counties Nursing Home in Lemmon, SD with her loving partner of 66 years by her side.


She is survived by her husband and loving lifelong partner, Duane Thomas, Lemmon, SD; one son and daughter-in-law, Randy and Mona Thomas, Faith, SD; one son-in-law, Fred Reede, Meadow, SD; four grandchildren, Tanya and Bill Bushong, Faith, SD, Boyce and Melissa Reede and Scott and Marla Reede, both of Lemmon, SD and Jamie and Sabrina Thomas, San Diego, CA; nine great-grandchildren, Gereth, Treyton, and Gabriel Bushong, Brianna and Jacob Thomas, Dillon and Kole Reede, baby Reede, and Micah Reede; three sisters-in-law, Evelyn Anderson, Dupree, SD, Bernice Capp and Vivian Thomas, both of Spearfish, SD; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.


Alice was preceded in death by her parents, Lou and Lurinda Perkins; one daughter, Renee Reede; one son, Kurt Thomas; two brothers in infancy; three sisters-in-law, Jean Capp, Ruby Thomas and Arlene Thomas; and seven brothers-in-law, Calvin Anderson, Donno and Chuck Capp and Willis, Denny, Stanley and Clinton Thomas.


Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 6, 2012 at the Evanson-Jensen Funeral Home in Lemmon followed by an Order of the Eastern Star service at 6:00 p.m. and a family service at 7:00 p.m.


A memorial has been established to the Faith Education Foundation.