Connie Thomas

Constance Rose Carney Thomas, 93, passed away peacefully in her sleep on the morning of January 30, 2026. She waited for her sons and daughters-in-law to gather in her room, then quietly slipped off to heaven.

Connie or Ro, as she was called by her siblings, was born into this world on August 7, 1932. She is the third child and the first daughter of William and Rose Carney. This family was decidedly Irish Catholic and before it was all said and done, there were 10 more siblings added to the clan.

Connie grew up in Emmetsburg, Iowa. She went to St. Mary’s Academy, the local catholic school, until her high school graduation. Shortly before her graduation she met Ron Thomas from Estherville, Iowa. She was convinced he was the love of her life; a few people questioned her wisdom. They were married on December 27, 1950 and stayed married for 54 years.

Newlyweds doing what newlyweds do, pretty soon they had a bouncing baby boy, Ron. Before they knew it, they had five more bouncing baby boys, Dan, Tom, Larry, Tim, and much later came, Mike.

In 1960, they moved to Des Moines where Connie attempted to continue her Catholic education for her boys. But she couldn’t afford the Catholic School so she settled for catechism on Saturdays and Wednesdays. The Thomas boys, as they came to be known, were raised in a fairly strict upbringing, but possibly, could have used a shovel upside the head once in a while. She had her hands very full with six boys. Connie was able to say more with her facial expressions than most can say with their mouths.

Connie worked at Katz Drug Store. She also did bartending in Des Moines for many years. Eventually, she got a job with the Des Moines Public School System working in the school’s kitchen. She worked her way up to the kitchen manager until she retired after 20 years. Connie was also a member of the AmVets, post #2 in Des Moines, Iowa for 51 years. For the last three years, Connie resided at Accura Healthcare of Ogden, due to complications of dementia. She received wonderful care and could rattle off all of her six sons’ names until her death.

Ron and Connie lived in the same house in Des Moines for the bigger percentage of their lives. This house they enjoyed keeping in fine shape, and they were proud it was the nicest house in the neighborhood. Of course, it eventually became a not very nice neighborhood.

Connie was preceded in death by her husband, Ron whom she missed for 21 years after his death; two sons, Mike and Dan (Flo); grandson, Joe Thomas; parents, William and Rose; brothers, Pat, Mike. Tom, Paul, Jim, Bill, and Steve; and sisters, Kay Lentz and Maureen Hansch;

She is survived by her four sons, Ron Thomas, Tom (Connie) Thomas, Larry (Anne) Thomas, and Tim Thomas; daughter-in-law, Joann Thomas; sisters, Jane Johnson, Mary Moser, and Linda Lorenzen; and many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren.

Family will greet friends Sunday, February 8, 2026 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Avenue in Des Moines. Memorial service will take place the following day, Monday, February 9, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. also at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions can be made to Accura Healthcare of Ogden in loving memory of Connie Thomas.

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