Connie Lou Thome

After a heroic battle with melanoma since 2004, Connie Lou Thome went to her Eternal Home to meet her Savior on January 9, 2018. She was born on October 22, 1951, in Fond du Lac, the only daughter of Stanley C. and Elaine C. Nelson Kramer. She was a 1969 graduate of L.P. Goodrich, attended UW Whitewater and Moraine Park Technical College. On August 11, 1973, she married Gary P. Nickel. On February 23, 1979, she married Kenneth G. Thome. She was employed by Wisconsin Telephone and most recently by Fond du Lac School District. She is survived by her husband, Ken, her son, Stephen Nickel, his wife, Shauna (Reynolds) Nickel, and her grandson, Adri Nickel, who was the light of her life. She is also survived by brother-in-laws; David Thome and his wife, Carol and Ronald Thome; sister in law, Rosie Stephanie and her husband, James, and numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews. She is also survived by many great friends, neighbors and her Church of Peace Family. She is preceded in death by her parents, and her son, Jason Thome on June 1, 2008. Connie was a member of the Fond du Lac Area Retired Educators where she served as Vice President. Additionally, she was a member of WREA, and NEA. As a Church of Peace member, she had served several terms on the Church Council and assumed the duties of President as well as secretary and treasurer. She served as liaison between the Church Council and the Loaves and Fishes Board. For 35 years she taught Sunday School and/or was Superintendent of the primary department. She was a member of the Ladies of Peace organization and had served as their president. While her sons were in elementary school, Connie served as president of the PTO and Fond du Lac Parent School Council. While employed by the Fond du Lac School District, she served as an instructional assistant at Roberts School, as a media secretary at Lakeshore School, and finally as secretary to several Pupil Service Directors. Connie was active in the Support Staff Association. She served as President and head negotiator for several years. Connie taught Cake Decorating at several locations in Fond du Lac, including Moraine Park Technical College and the Card Shack. For many years during the summer months, she volunteered at the concession stand for the Monday night concert series at Buttermilk Creek Park. Connie loved roses and Ken and Connie would spend every summer maintaining their landscape of flowers and searching for new varieties. Connie was a very loving person, full of fun, and always ready to help others. She enjoyed traveling, especially to Anchorage, Alaska to be with Stephen, Shauna, and Adri. There were several trips every year since Adri was born and gatherings in Florida and Hawaii in spite of her illness and treatments. The family wishes to thank the staff at the Agnesian Cancer Center and Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, who guided her treatment. Additional thanks, to all the Hospice staff that assisted with her care at her home and at the Hospice Home of Hope. VISITATION: Friends may call on Friday, January 12, 2018, from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Church of Peace, 158 South Military Road, Fond du Lac and at the church on Saturday 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. FUNERAL: Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 13, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. at Church of Peace, with Rev. Jennifer Dawson and Rev. James Martin officiating. Burial will follow in Estabrooks Cemetery. Memorials in Connie’s name should be directed to the Church of Peace, Fond du Lac.

Connie Lou Thome

October 22, 1951 - January 9, 2018