Milan J. Thomas (1923-2018)

Milan J. Thomas, 94, found peace after a long illness when he passed away on April 10 at Hospice House surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Kenosha on December 16, 1923 to Daniel and Frances (Fliess) Thomas. He attended St. George School and graduated from Mary D. Bradford High School. On April 3, 1948, he married Dolores Waldow at St. Mark’s Church. They met back in the days of skating fun at the roller rink and recently had their 70th wedding anniversary.
For the majority of his working years he was a mechanic and owner of automobile repair and gasoline businesses and served as President of the Gasoline Retailers Association. Following closure of his business, he had a brief employment at and retired from American Motors, after which he went on to enjoy part time sales and repair at a ski and bike shop for a few more years.
Always active, he enjoyed carpentry work, completing fine woodworking projects from beautiful end tables to construction of play houses, sheds, rec rooms and decks. Warm weather would spark his enthusiasm for outdoor yard and gardening work, but he always looked forward to winter’s falling snow when over the years he skied the beautiful mountain slopes of northern and western states, Canada, Austria and Switzerland. He competed in downhill races up to the age of 72 and won many medals. He also served as President of the Ski-Noshans.
Above all else, he loved his family and enjoyed time with his grandchildren taking them sledding, skiing, including them in his yard and work shop projects, and leading them in ‘You are My Sunshine’ sing-alongs. He was a man who gave unselfishly, always ready to help when needed and not expecting something in return.
Milan will be sadly missed by his surviving wife Dolores and daughter Linda (Ben) St. Louis; grandchildren, Steven (Krista) St. Louis, Michelle St. Louis, Kristine (Jason) Stolfi, Cheryl Brown, Alan Brown, and Emily (Andy) Brzezinski; great-grandchildren, Hannah, Sydney, Addison, Jason, Jayden, McKayla and Taylor. Also surviving are brother, Jack Thomas, sisters, Joan (John) Anderson, Ellen Wollenberg, and Bea (Bob) Oats and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Donna Thomas; brothers Gene and Dick Thomas, and sister Betty Thomas.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Milan will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, April 16, 2018 at St. Mark’s Catholic Church (7117 – 14th Avenue) with entombment to follow at All Saints Cemetery. A visitation will take place at the church on Monday from 9:30 AM until the time of Mass.
The family wishes to thank Hospice Alliance and Dr. Friedl for their compassionate care.