Julie Ann Thomas

JULIE A. THOMAS, 76, of Cherokee, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, March 5, 2026 at her home in Cherokee, Iowa.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 13, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at the Memorial Presbyterian Church in Cherokee, Iowa. Visitation will take place at the Memorial Presbyterian Church in Cherokee on Thursday, March 12, 2026 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with the family present from 5-7:00 p.m. The Boothby Funeral Home of Cherokee, Iowa is assisting the family with arrangements.

The family requests memorials may be made in Julie’s honor to the Memorial Presbyterian Church in Cherokee.

Julie was born on September 4, 1949 to Melvin and Esther (Klein) Plathe in Granville, Iowa. She attended and graduated from Granville Spalding High School.

Julie was united in marriage to Craig Thomas on August 16, 1980; together they had three boys, Aaron, Adam, and Andrew. They were married for 42 years. She graduated from cosmetology school and owned and operated her business, Fantasy Hair & Skin Studio until she decided to stay home to raise their three boys in 1987.

Julie was a member of the Memorial Presbyterian Church in Cherokee and member of their bell choir, member of the EZ Chapter of Tri-T (TTT) in Cherokee, and volunteered with the hospital auxiliary. Julie was inspired to quilt by her mother Esther’s handiwork and mother-in-law, Doris, where they quilted together with the Sioux Valley Hospital women’s auxiliary group.

Julie found her greatest joy in the simple, meaningful moments of life—especially those spent with her family and beloved grandchildren. She loved traveling and treasured the time she and the family spent at their lake home in Longville/Remer, Minnesota, where she listened to the calls of the loons. She enjoyed pontoon rides on the lake with Craig. She also held a special place in her heart at their winter home in Gold Canyon, Arizona, where she delighted in the desert landscape, the vibrant blooms of the cactus, and gathering with loved ones around their outdoor kitchen. Julie regularly played bridge as a weekly club and substituted in numerous bridge clubs.

Julie had a remarkable gift for nurturing beauty wherever she went. An avid gardener and landscaper with a true green thumb, she took great pride in her flowers and the spaces she created. She was also deeply artistic and an exceptionally talented quilter, known for her patience, care, and the love she stitched into every piece. Julie’s quilted picture wall hangings had been juried into national competitions originating in Arizona. Through her creativity and her warmth, Julie left behind countless memories—and handmade treasures—that will be cherished by those who knew and loved her.

She was preceded in death by her parents Melvin and Esther (Klein) Plathe, sisters Diane Plathe, Jolene Tiedeman and Kim Tiedeman, mother-in-law and father-in-law Doris and R.J. Thomas, brothers-in-law Rodney Buren and William P. Browne.

Julie will lovingly be remembered by her longtime spouse, Craig Thomas of Cherokee, Iowa; three sons Aaron Thomas of Cherokee, Iowa, Adam and Paige Thomas and their children Chelsea, Elizabeth, and Heidi of Cherokee, Iowa, and Andrew Thomas and his children Remi, Nori, Reid Jacob, and Ryan Joseph of Cherokee, Iowa; siblings Cheryl Buren of Sanborn, Iowa, Joyce (Larry) Anderson of LeMars, Iowa, Duane Plathe of Fairmont, Minnesota; sisters-in-law Cheryl (Robert) Ooten of Costa Mesa, California, Linda Browne of Manistee, Michigan/ Venice, Florida, brothers-in-law Jim Tiedeman of Orange City, Iowa and Steve (Lori) Thomas of Cherokee, Iowa; also several nieces, nephews, and many friends.

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