Dorothy Larsen-Thomas

Dorothy Larsen Thomas

Age 74 of Wilmington, passed away Friday morning June 6, 2014 at the Joliet Area Community Hospice Home.

Born October 12, 1939 in Custer Park, Dorothy was a daughter of the late Peter and Alice Davy-Larsen. She was a 1957 graduate of Wilmington High School, and on September 3, 1960, Dorothy married Keith Thomas in Grace Lutheran Church in Wilmington. Together Dorothy and Keith have held residence over the years in Palatine, Milwaukee, Pekin and Jerseyville. She retired from UPS in Palatine, where she worked as a customer service representative. Dorothy was involved with the PTA and Newcomers Club in all of the communities she resided, was a former member of Job's Daughters and most recently attended the First United Methodist Church of Wilmington. Dorothy had a love for Christmas, and enjoyed decorating. She played the saxophone, accordion and organ, and though in recent years didn't care to perform publically, she often claimed a highlight was playing in the Wilmington High School Band at the Northwestern University Homecoming in 1955. She had a tremendous 'green thumb', and will be remembered for her love of family.

Survivors include her husband of 53 years Keith; two sons: Kevin (Pat) Thomas of Palatine and Mark (Alexis) Thomas of Wauconda; three grandchildren: Olivia, Charlie and Spencer; one sister Laura (the late Fred "Lefty") Lestina of Wilmington; her mother-in-law Dimple Thomas of Maryville; sisters-in-law: Sheila (Ken) Adams of Maryville and Joyce (Ward) Montgomery of Beaumont, Texas; brother-in-law Stephen Thomas of Olive Branch and numerous nieces and nephews including: Fred (Irene) Lestina of Morris, Gary (Sherri) Lestina of Shorewood, Loralyn (Dennis) Wilhelmi of Buckingham, Lisa Lestina of Wilmington, Jeff (Donelle) Grygiel of Shorewood, Kurt (Mary) Grygiel of Annandale, Virginia, David (Mistie) Whitlow of Herscher, Angela Thomas of Paducah, Kentucky, Craig Thomas of Columbus, Ohio, Brian (Margie) Huffman of Maryville, Brent (Amy) Huffman of Indianapolis, Indiana, Linda (Jim) Hammond of Bourbonnais and Ruth Larsen of Kankakee, as well as numerous cousins.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents: brothers and sisters: PFC Carl Larsen, Donald (Mary) Larsen, Alice (Mike) Grygiel and Phyllis Whitlow and Aunt Laura Eisenhower and father-in-law Orville Thomas.

The family will receive friends at the First United Methodist Church, 401 East Kahler Road in Wilmington on Saturday June 14th from 9:00AM until time of memorial service 11:00AM. Pastor Mark Moon will officiate and inurnment will follow in Wesley Cemetery.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Dorothy's memory to The American Cancer Society, First United Methodist Church of Wilmington or Kuzma Care Cottage.

Friends may sign the online guest book or send private condolences to the family by logging onto: www.BaskervilleFuneral.com

Cremation arrangements and memorial services have been made under the direction and care of Baskerville Funeral Home in Wilmington. (815/476-2181)