Corine Thomas

Funeral services for Corine Thomas were held on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Gregory, SD with Father Jonathan Dillon celebrant. Lector was Kimberly Veskrna, altar servers were Luke Stukel, Pierce Stukel, and Dawson Stukel. Gift bearers were Sydney Thomas, Emma Thomas and Elliott Mae Thomas. Music was provided by the St. Joseph choir, accompanied by Katie Opp, pianist, and Jared Opp was cantor. Pat Mattson, Jean Drummond, Kay Shouse, Linda Stukel-Boles, and Sandy Murrell were in charge of registration. Flower attendants were Kristan Witham, Karrie Alberts, Danielle Johnson, Anna Thomas, Haley Thomas, and Erin Thomas.

Casket bearers were Zachary Thomas, Matthew Thomas, Grant Thomas, Gannon Thomas, Tim Witham, Tony Alberts, Tyler Johnson, and Zachery Trieber. Honorary casket bearers were the staff at Avera Rosebud Country Care Center.

Interment was in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Gregory, SD. Kotrba- Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Corine Mae Stukel was born on December 23, 1938, the daughter of Frank and Margaret (Empkey) Stukel. She grew up in and around Gregory, attending elementary at the Parochial School in Gregory and later Gregory Public Schools, graduating from Gregory High School in 1957.

During Corine’s high school years, because of her dedication to Christ and desire to become a nun, she decided to attend the Marycrest Aspirant School in Alliance, NE during her sophomore and junior years. She returned to Gregory High School for her senior year. After graduating, she attended an airline education center in Minneapolis, MN, and worked in that field for the next year.

Corine met her future husband, Larry (Short) Thomas during the summer before her senior year of high school. After returning from Minneapolis, Corine and Short were united in marriage on August 8, 1959. The following year they had their first child, Jeffrey. Five more children were born to this union: Teresa, Julie, Mary Kay, Paul, and Andy.

Corine crocheted many blankets for her children, godchildren, and grandchildren, and helped her children with many different projects over the years. She loved the peace and serenity of a long country drive with Short, but coffee with her friends and sisters was a favorite pastime. Gardening brought her joy that immersed her in her favorites - daisies and many other flowers. Over the years, she enjoyed helping at Stukel’s Café, first under her parents’ ownership then helping her brother Cal and sisterin- law Karen. Corine also spent 30 years as St. Joseph’s secretary. Travel with her five sisters took Corine to all areas of the earth.

She attended many activities as a long-time supporter of Gregory activities through athletics and music programs, supporting her children and grandchildren through the generations.

During the last few years of Corine’s life, she and Short lived at Silver Threads in Gregory and then Avera Rosebud Country Care Center.

Corine, age 85, of Gregory, SD, died on Tuesday, March 12, 2024. Corine is survived by her three sons: Jeff (Darla) Thomas of Gregory, SD and their children Rihanna of Rapid City, SD and Haley of Gregory, SD; Paul (Anita) Thomas of Brookings, SD and their children Zachary (Erinn) of Brookings, SD, Matthew of Brookings, SD, and Sydney (Zachery) Thomas of Sioux Falls, SD; Andy (Renee) Thomas and their children Grant of Brookings, SD, Emma of Sioux Falls, SD, Gannon, and Elliott Mae, of Gregory; daughters: Julie (Bill) Robins of Black Hawk, SD, and their child Danielle (Tyler) John, SD, son along with children Kasyn, Blaklei, Crosby, and Lyla Raine of Rapid City, SD; and Mary Kay (Bryan Arzdorf) Thomas of Marshall, MN and children Kristan (Tim Witham) Steffen along with children William and Benjamin of San Francisco, CA, and Karrie (Tony) Alberts along with children Jackson, Marley, Samuel, and Thomas of St. Michael, MN. She is also survived by two brothers Don (Joyce) Stukel, Frank (Carol) Stukel; five sisters: Pat Mattson, Jean Drummond, Kay Shouse, Linda (George) Stukel Boles, and Sandy (Michael) Murrell, and sisters-in-law: Melba Stukel, Karen Stukel Karl, Edith (Roger) Wentworth, and Sonny (Thomas) Kyser; along with many nieces, nephews, and other friends and relatives.

Corine was preceded in death by her husband Larry (Short) Thomas in 2018; parents Frank and Margaret (Empkey) Stukel; in-laws Glen and Verne (Sylvester) Thomas; brothers: Ray Stukel and Cal Stukel; daughter Teresa Thomas; grandson John Enke; and great-grandson Andrew Alberts; brothers-in-law: Royce Mattson, Ron Drummond, Tom Shouse, Dean Thomas, Wayne Thomas, Chan Thomas; sisters-in-law: Eula Harlan and Margaret Strickland.