Rhoda Mae Thomas Hanks

BURLEY, IDAHO – Rhoda Mae Thomas Hanks, age 96, passed away peacefully Saturday, March 24, 2012, of natural causes in Sandy, Utah.

Mae was born Oct. 30, 1915, in Spanish Fork, Utah, to Genevieve Rowe and Vern Thomas. When she was six weeks old she moved with her family to southern Idaho where she lived for ninety years. The Thomas family lived in Carey, Idaho, until 1925, when they moved to Paul, Idaho. After graduating from Paul High School, Mae attended the University of Idaho Southern Branch at Pocatello, and subsequently graduated from Utah State Agricultural College where she graduated with high honors in home economics. Mae taught school in Provo, Utah, and Montpelier, Idaho, before marrying Thead James (Ted) Hanks of Burley, in the Logan Utah LDS Temple on July 19, 1939. They made their home in Eden, Idaho, for four years and then moved to Burley where they farmed, taught school, and raised their family.

Mae served faithfully in many positions in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Especially dear to her were the 18 years she served as Guide Patrol leader of the Star Ward. She and her husband served together in the South Dakota Rapid City Mission from 1981-1983. She worked in the extraction program and was diligent in gathering her own family records and creating opportunities for family gatherings.

Mae generously shared her homemaking, musical, and organizational skills with her family and community. She was active in PTA, county extension and 4-H work. She enjoyed her association with the Burley Study Club for many years.

Mae and Ted enjoyed traveling and had many happy memories of vacations with family and friends.

Mae is survived by her children, Carol Wilson (Wesley) currently serving a mission in Kennewick, Washington, Marie Kartchner (Jerry) of Cottonwood Heights, Utah, Louise Bain (Bill) of Fremont, California, Gordon Hanks of Draper, Utah, and Gary Hanks (Cindy) of Concord, California. She is also survived by loving in-laws Philip and Buelah Hanks, and Claudia Hanks of Burley, Idaho, Lorraine and Carl Hogg of Pocatello, Idaho, Lois Thomas of Cedar City, Utah, and Jackie Thomas of St. George, Utah. She has 20 grandchildren and 44 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; brothers, Vern Thomas and Glen Thomas; her sister, Rowene Thomas Basinger; daughter-in-law, Colleen Millet Hanks; three grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 31, at the Pella LDS Church, 160 W. 400 S., of Burley, with Bishop Rod Lake officiating. Burial will be in Gem Memorial Gardens.

Friends may call from 6 until 8 p.m. Friday, March 30, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Saturday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the LDS Church Perpetual Education Fund or to a charity of your choice.