Raymond C. Thums, 92, longtime Burlington resident, died June 1, 2014, at Layton Terrace Senior Community in Greenfield.
He was born in Prairie View, Ill., to the late Jacob and Adeline (Vita) Thums. The family moved to Brighton Township in Kenosha County, where they farmed for over 30 years.
He was a U.S. Army combat veteran, fighting in France and Germany during World War II. He was an M3 half-track driver in the 68th Armored Infantry Battalion, 14th Armored Division.
On May 20, 1950, he married Esther M. Thom in Burlington. They raised a family in Brighton Township, moving to Burlington in 1977. They were married for 56 years. She preceded him in death in 2006.
He traveled the country as a long-haul trucker for Kenosha Auto Transport for nearly 20 years, continuing to work the family farm between runs. For 22 years he worked as a machinist at Grove Gear in Union Grove, retiring in 1987.
He was an enthusiastic member of the 14th Armored Infantry Association, and always looked forward to reuniting with his fellow World War II veterans. During his retirement he enjoyed working in his yard and garage. He was never without a project. He was joyfully anticipating the arrival of his first great-grandchild this year.
He will be dearly missed by daughters, Kathleen Thums, Stevens Point, Susan (Carl) Lock, Waukesha; sons, Ronald (Jean Silverberg), Minneapolis, and Daniel (Patricia), Livingston, Mont.; grandchildren, Rachel (Timothy) Keller, Adam Hustad, Alex Hustad; great-grandson, Maddox; sisters-in-law, Virginia Vallely, Kathleen Thom; nieces; nephews and friends.
He was further preceded in death by his siblings, Sylvia, Mildred, Fred, Miles, and Alvin.
A special thank you goes to the staff of Layton Terrace, VITAS Hospice and ResCare Home Care for their kindness and professionalism.
A Celebration of Ray’s Life will take place at Krause Funeral Home, 21600 W. Capitol Drive, Brookfield, on Monday, Aug. 11, from 4-6:45 p.m., with service at 7 p.m. Interment will be in Southern Wisconsin Veterans Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery, Union Grove.
Well-wishers can visit www.krausefuneralhome.com.