Sharon Thomas

Sharon Thomas, age 81, of Phillips, WI, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 9, 2023, at her home surrounded by her family.  Sharon was proud of having contributed to the science around GBM’s by beating the odds to become an “outlier.”

She was an amazing wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, friend, church member, caregiver, homemaker, poet, adviser to those in need, and much much more. Sharon was a generous caring person who loved helping her family, friends and any one in need.

Sharon was born on January 16, 1942, to Orrin and Dorothy (Krueger) Reistad in Milwaukee, WI. She grew up in Rib Lake, WI, and later moved to Wisconsin Rapids, WI where she met her high school sweetheart, Richard, in 1959. After graduating Lincoln High School, Sharon attended Bellin College in Green Bay, WI. Sharon graduated as the valedictorian of her Bellin class in 1962 with a degree in nursing. For her first two years after graduation she was an OB/GYN staff nurse at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and attended classes at the University.

Sharon married Richard in 1963. Newly married, they moved to Rochester MN where she accepted an assistant nursing instructor position at the Methodist Kahler School of Nursing.  In 1966 Sharon and Richard moved back to Madison WI, where their twin daughters were born, and she became a dedicated full-time wife and mother.   

Sharon and Richard moved to Phillips, WI in October 1969 and have resided there ever since. Sharon was an active member of the Phillips community. She was a Red Cross BloodMobile RN volunteer, participated in the UW Inactive Nurses Teleconference Network, and served as a trustee on the local hospital board. She also sat on the board of directors of Marquip Inc. and  was a consultant  to the company in numerous areas associated with wellness programs, drug screening and health education. She was a member of St John Church where her contributions included serving as a member of the Altar committee, teaching Sunday school and summer bible school, as well as holding various positions with the Lutheran Church Womens group. Sharon also served the broader community as a 4H leader, an active member in the Homemakers club, and a PomPom team leader.

Sharon is survived by her husband, Richard; daughters, Tammy (Steve) and Laurie (Tony), grandsons Justin (Jennie) and Shane (Katie), and by a great granddaughter, Emerson. Sharon is preceded in death by her parents, Orrin and Dorothy.

The Thomas family would like to express their sincere gratitude and appreciation for the outpouring of help and support they have received from her caregivers and the Phillips community. 

A Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, June 16, 2023, at the Heindl-Nimsgern Funeral Home, 284 Chestnut Ave, Phillips, WI 54555. A Funeral Service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 17, 2023, at St. John Lutheran Church, 120 Forest Ave, Phillips, WI 54555, with Pastor Dean Arbs officiating. Interment will follow after at the Lakeside Cemetery in Phillips, WI. The family requests those who wish to express their sympathy consider a donation to Richard and Sharon’s church, St. John Lutheran, PO Box 139, Phillips, Wisconsin or sending flowers. Heindl-Nimsgern Funeral Home is assisting the family.