Florence Evelyn Thomas

Florence Evelyn "Gramma Tiny" Thomas, 76, longtime Royal City resident passed away Friday, Oct. 15, 2010 at her home surrounded by her loving family. Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2010 at Royal Camp Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Concluding services and interment will follow at Royal Memorial Gardens. Family will greet friends from 5 to 7 P.M. on Tuesday, Oct. 19th at Kayser's Chapel of Memories . Arrangements are in care of Kayser's Chapel & Crematory, Moses Lake. Please sign the book or leave a note for the family at www.kayserschapel.com Gramma Tiny was born November 3, 1933 in Boise, Idaho, daughter of the late Henry Bernard and Iva Elizabeth (Casper) Steinebach. She grew up with her 11 brothers and 3 sisters on the family farm near Homedale, Idaho. She attended school in Homedale and graduated from Homedale High School in 1951. She was married to John "Jack" H. Thomas on May 20, 1950 in Homedale, Idaho. They continued to live in the Homedale area and she worked at the Post Office for several years. In 1963 they moved to Royal City, purchasing a couple hundred acres of rough sage brush covered land southwest of town. Over the next several years they worked long and hard days clearing the land and developing their farm. Gramma Tiny was always a hard worker, enjoying her days outside tending her flowers or her large garden that she planted every year. She loved to cook and worked as a cook the Royal School for several years while her children were growing up. Her family meant the world to her and she cherished the big family get togethers at their home where she would cook big meals, loving every minute of it. She always brought, or had handy, numerous snacks for all of the grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and while in Royal City of the Royal Slope Second Ward. She enjoyed helping over the years with many positions and callings in the church and with the Royal City Food Bank that she volunteered many hours at. She is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, John "Jack" H. Thomas at the family home; four children, DiAnna Jessup, Kennewick, WA, Tim and Patti Thomas, Moses Lake, WA, Gari Lynn and Dain Craver, Royal City, Pete Thomas, Royal City; one sister, Hazel Quenzer , Meridian, Idaho; two brothers, Cecil Steinebach. Sequim, WA, Leroy Steinebach, Topeka, KS; nineteen grandchildren and thirty great grandchildren. Nine brothers, two sisters and a granddaughter also preceded her in death. In lieu of flowers please make memorial donations to the Royal City Food Bank.

Florence Evelyn Thomas

November 3, 1933 - October 15, 2010