Loren Thomas

Loren Richard Thomas, 79, of Houston, Minn., died on Sunday, July 4, 2021, at the Gundersen Tweeten Care Center in Spring Grove, Minn.

Loren was born on September 14, 1941, in Pleasant Grove Township, Olmsted County, Minn., to Adra Purdy and Mildred Henrietta (Wrase) Thomas. He graduated from Mabel High School in Mabel, Minn. Loren served in the U.S. Army National Guard. On June 29, 1968, Loren was united in marriage with Mary Schultz at Looney Valley Lutheran Church in Houston. He farmed all of his career. In addition to farming, Loren worked as an animal nutritionist for Midland and Land O’Lakes. He was active in 4-H as a child and was a member of the Houston County Holstein Association and Cedar Valley Lutheran Church. Loren was a very social person who loved people. He was a family man and enjoyed hunting and the outdoors. 

Loren is survived by his wife of 53 years, Mary; three children: Laura (Chris) Seljan of Kasson, Minn., Mike (Kelly) Thomas of Houston, Minn., and Kristine (Scott) Maynard of Winona, Minn.; seven grandchildren: Zachary (Julia), Bryce (Rylee), Melissa, Devin, Benjamin, Julia, and Matthew; three siblings: Lorraine Klomps of Chatfield, Minn., Dale (Shirley) Thomas of Plainview, Minn., and Glen Thomas of Fountain, Minn.; sisters-in-law Bonnie Thomas of Greenleafton, Minn., and Jenelle Lemke (John Owens) of Houston, Minn.; and by a close family friend, Dean Hamlin of Jesup, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Lyle and sister Ellen Nichols, brothers-in-law Don Nichols and Francis Klomps, and sister-in-law Doris Thomas.

There will be a funeral service for Loren at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 12, 2021, at Cedar Valley Lutheran Church in rural Winona, Minn., with Reverend Jeff Franco officiating. Burial will be in the Silver Creek Cemetery in rural Houston, Minn., with the Arnet–Sheldon American Legion Post of Houston presenting military honors. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. on Sunday, July 11, 2021, at Hoff Funeral and Cremation Service in Houston and one hour prior to the service on Monday at the church. 

Please leave a memory of Loren and sign his online guestbook at www.hofffuneral.com.