Henry "Hank" A. Thomas

Henry "Hank" Alan Thomas, 75, of Phillips, WI, left his earthly body to be with God on November 19, 2022. Hank was born on June 20, 1947, in Brookfield, WI, to Arden and Margery (Laukernman) Thomas.

Hank graduated from the Iola-Scandinavia School District. Right after graduation, he was drafted into the United States Army and deployed to Vietnam from April 1967 to November 1968, where he earned the Silver Star. Hank was promoted to Sergeant E5 before being honorably discharged from the military. He worked in construction out of Wausau, WI, construction at Lionite in Phillips, and was self-employed until retirement. He met the love of his life, Pattie Schoenborn, and they married on November 6, 1976.

Hank was a member of the VFW Post 5778 of Phillips, VFW Post 8491 of Prentice, 5th Battalion 7th Cavalry Association, Peace Lutheran Church of Park Falls, an elder at the Trinity Lutheran Church of Phillips, and an avid participant of the Hooked-on Fishing Program with the Price County Sheriff's Department Dare Program. He sent many care packages and over 30,000 Christmas cards to Veteran's homes around the United States. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, tending to his Christmas trees and making countless wreaths. He was known in Emery as the 'Pumpkin Man' because he had a large pumpkin patch that was grown to give to the children. Hank was also lovingly known as one of the biggest and best B'S'er no matter where he was.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Pattie; daughter, Lisa (John) Kuznar of Hawkins; son, Matthew Thomas of Phillips; grandchildren, Luke (Ashley) Freeman of Stetsonville, Dean (Tiana) Freeman of Alaska, Cassandra (Skyler Krisik) of Tony; great-grandchildren, Connor, Carter, Skylar, Collin, Jayce, and Cayden; sister, Midge Hogan of Rudolph; brother, Fred Thomas of Vesper; mother-in-law, Marian Delasky of Park Falls.

Hank is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Jim, John, Donald, Arden Jr., and Jeff; father-in-law, Richard Schoenborn; brother-in-law, Robert Schoenborn; and numerous aunts and uncles.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11a.m. on Saturday, December 3, 2022, at the Heindl-Nimsgern Funeral Home, 284 Chestnut Street, Phillips, WI. Visitation will be held on Friday, December 2, 2022, from 4p.m. to 7p.m. at the funeral home, and also one hour before the service at the funeral home on Saturday. Burial will be in Emery Cemetery, Phillips. Heindl-Nimsgern Funeral Home is assisting the family.