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Ethel May Thomsen

SUTHERLAND - Ethel May Thomsen, 85, died Feb. 13, 2006, at her home in Sutherland.

Ethel was born Sept. 22, 1920, on the farm northwest of Farnam to Harvey Ray and Lillie Mable Burrows McNickle. She attended the Congregational Church and Sunday school in Farnam. In 1932, she became a member of the Methodist Church and was a member more than 70 years. She belonged to the youth Epworth League, sang in the choir, was superintendent of Bible school and taught Bible school and was a charter member of United Methodist Women. Ethel graduated from Farnam High School in May 1937 at age 16. She spent time at home helping her mother before going to Nebraska Wesleyan in Lincoln in 1938. She received her two-year teaching certificate and taught at Maxwell from 1940 to 1941 and was a member of Maxwell Rebekah Lodge.

She met Vernon "Tom" Thomsen in high school and they were married in a double ceremony with her sister, Elaine and Bernie Lindvall on June 8, 1941, at Farnam. They moved to Hemingford, where Vernon taught and she substituted. When Vernon went to the Army in 1942, Ethel followed him from base to base until 1943, when she went back to Farnam. Vernon was discharged in December 1945 and they moved to Stratton and then to Sutherland, where they lived 17 years. She was a 4-H leader and assistant and they owned the Sno-White for five years.

In 1964, they moved to Hershey. In 1966, they moved to Chappell, where due to her efforts a new library and media center was built at the school. She was a member of the Chappell Business and Professional Women. In 1972, they moved back to Sutherland, where in the school she had the library and audio visual media. Ethel was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post 208 and the Retired Teachers Association. Ethel was an avid Husker, Cubs, Braves and Bronco fan.

Survivors include her husband, Vernon "Tom" of Sutherland; three daughters, Carol (Don) Moore of Tryon, Jan Aden and special friend Gary Phipps of North Platte and Kim (Brian) Miller of Lincoln; a son, Ken (Kathy) Thomsen of North Platte; 12 grandchildren, Casey (Tricia) Aden, Brandon Aden, Kelli (Jace) Backman, Rod Fisher, Shelia Fisher, Jon Miller, Karlie Miller, Kerri (Tony) Miller, Marty (Les) Griess, Rusty (Jennifer) Moore, Jeff (Rayan) Moore and Justin (Bri) Moore; 14 great-grandchildren; a brother, Dale (Lola) McNickle of North Platte; many nieces, nephews and other family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two daughters, Joan Thomsen and Patricia Brown; a son, Dennis Thomsen; a sister, Elaine Lindvall; and three brothers, Rex, Glen and Verne McNickle.

A memorial has been established to the Ethel Thomsen Educational Scholarship Fund.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Sutherland United Methodist Church with the Rev. Eldon Davis officiating. Burial will be in the Fort McPherson National Cemetery south of Maxwell.

Visitation will be from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. today at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore in North Platte and before the service at the church on Friday.

North Platte Telegraph, 16 Feb 2006



Published: 11/24/2024 - http://www.historicfarnam.us/cemetery/obits/index.asp
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