Gloria E. Thoma's Obituary
Gloria Eva Thoma (nee Kipping), 91 of Columbia Il, died December 5, 2023, at
her home surrounded by her loving family.
Gloria was born January 14th, 1932 in Waterloo, Il. Raised in a devout and
loving Catholic family, Gloria’s faith was central to her life. She entered the Ruma
convent as a postulant at 14, and while ultimately deciding it was not her calling,
she retained her strong faith in God and the Catholic Church all her life. She was
especially devoted to the Lady of Fátima. She graduated from Saints Peter and
Paul Catholic High School in Waterloo. Gloria was a member of Immaculate
Conception Catholic Church, Columbia, VFW Post #6504 Metzger-Crook
Auxiliary, Waterloo.
Gloria met the love of her life, Leo, at the VFW in 1954. They were married in
1955 and Gloria went from being a city girl to a farmer’s wife, learning how to do
everything from gardening, canning, and making pies for her husband and
children. Above all strengths she was loving, kind, generous, and a good listener
to her children and grandchildren.
When life as a busy farm wife allowed her, Gloria loved music, and both sang
in the choir and played the piano for many years at church. A self-taught pianist,
she loved to play for her family. In addition to music, Gloria enjoyed cardinal
birds, playing poker, and had a particular fondness for cookies, chips, and bacon.
Her sweet disposition and unique sense of humor was loved by all.
Left to cherish her memory are her children, Gina (Terry) Lenhardt, Tom
(Vicki) Thoma, Christina (Steve) Mueller, and Paul Thoma; and grandchildren
Bill Kreps, Andrew Lenhardt, Jeremy (Anna) Mueller, Amy (Frank) Pigulski,
Joshua (Sami) Mueller, Benjamin (Nicole) Thoma, Broderick Thoma, Breanna
(Trevor) Theis, and Connor Thoma; 6 great-grandchildren and a great-
grandbaby on the way, sister Grace Mitan, sister-in-law Carol Kipping, many
nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and dear family and friends.
Gloria is preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Leo Thoma; parents, Joseph and Grace (nee Andres)
Kipping; parents-in-law Frank and Clara (nee Wecker) Thoma; siblings Stanley
Kipping, Gladys Oestreich, Spencer Kipping, Stanford Kipping, and Steve Kipping;
and many brothers and sisters-in-law. Gloria’s first grandchild, Jason Mueller,
whom she loved dearly, also preceded her in death.
Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Dec. 14 th at Immaculate Conception
Church in Columbia. A funeral Mass will immediately follow the visitation at
11:30 a.m., with Father Steven Thoma to officiate. Burial will follow at the
Immaculate Conception Cemetery.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that
memorial contributions be directed to the Poor Clare Monastery of Our Lady of
Mercy, 300 North 60th Street, Belleville, IL 62223, or the Immaculate
Conception School Education Fund.
Arrangements are being handled by Leesman Funeral Home in Columbia. For
more information, please access our website, www.leesmanfuneralhome.com.
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