Norma Joyce Thomas

Norma Joyce Thomas, 96, of Idaho Falls, ID, passed away Thursday May 14, 2020, at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center. She was born April 3, 1924, in Salt Lake City, UT to George Leo and Rachel Ann Garner Sandberg. She was the sixth child born into a family of 7 and grew up in a loving and happy family.
In 1941, she graduated from East High School in Salt Lake City. She worked at the Arms Plant making 50 caliber machine gun shells. Security was always on high alert because of World War II at the time. For example, one day a woman came into work wearing an especially fluffy skirt. The guards searched each employee and their purses and lunch sacks and, low and behold, attached to each of her legs the woman had strapped on bombs.  It was learned later that this woman was a spy sent to blow up the artillery plant. It was a close call for everyone.
On May 19, 1945, she married Joseph Ray Thomas from Midvale, UT.  He had just returned from serving in the Army throughout the Mediterranean Area. They would have celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary this week. They rented an apartment on Logan Avenue for the next 8 years, during which time Scott, Elaine, and Michael were born. After moving to Dresden Place for the next 2 years, Joyce was born. They finally saved enough money to buy a house in the South Cottonwood area, one of the first houses built in the new subdivision.  It was in this house where they welcomed Lynn and Diane to their family. She lived in this house until she retired.
She worked at Fortuna Elementary as a manager of the school lunch program after Diane was in 1st grade. Diane use to say that momma worked at the “Tuna fish” school.
Norma was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She taught Primary and preferred to have the kids old enough to read the scriptures and participate during the lessons. While the boys were young, she also taught the Cub Scouts and she enjoyed the many projects like making leather moccasins by hand.
Ray and Norma loved being with family and friends. They provided a wonderful, loving home for their children. They also loved to dance whether with others or just in the front room with a record playing in the background.
On April 29, 1978, Norma lost the love of her life. With one child still in high school she found work at Deseret Pharmaceuticals working on an assembly line. Later she moved on to work at Cottonwood Hospital as a cafeteria manager. She stayed there until retirement at the age of 80.
After retirement, she moved to Idaho Falls to live closer to her daughters, Joyce and Diane, and son Scott due to health issues. Diane moved in with mother the last few years of her life and became her full-time caregiver.
The family use to tease her by saying that she had to live until she was at least 100, but she would always respond by saying “I better not”. Well, mom, you win, at least now you can see clearly again without bad eyesight.
She is survived by 4 children: Scott (Sondra) Thomas of Idaho Falls ID, Michael (Sharlene) Thomas of West Valley City UT, Joyce (Richard) Goshert of Blackfoot ID, and Diane (Cory) Caldwell of Idaho Falls ID, as well as daughter-in-law Kathy Thomas of Sandy, UT, 12 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren, and 4 great great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, 4 brothers and 3 sisters, her husband Ray, daughter Elaine, son Lynn, and grandson Jason.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 20, 2020 at Memorial Mortuary 5850 South 9 East, Murray UT. There will be a viewing from 11:30-12:30 pm with the funeral services beginning at 1:00 pm.
She will be buried next to her husband Ray, daughter Elaine and by her son Lynn at Elysian Burial Gardens in Murray, UT.
Service Information
Viewing May 20, 2020 at 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Memorial Murray Mortuary, 5850 South 900 East, Murray, Utah





Funeral Service
May 20, 2020 at 1:00 PM
Memorial Murray Mortuary, 5850 South 900 East, Murray, Utah