“WELL-KNOWN AREA MUSICIAN”

Marian Genevieve Thomas was born November 16th 1922 in Prophetstown, Illinois. The only daughter of Vincent Rice and Jennie Booth Olmstead. She attended Prophetstown grade and high school from which she graduated in 1940. In 1944 she graduated from Jane Lamb Memorial Hospital, Clinton, Iowa as a Registered Nurse. She then moved to Sterling Illinois to pursue her career at Sterling Public Hospital, (now Community General Hospital Medical Center) working general duty, then became Assistant Supervisor of Obstetrics. She also worked as a Private Duty Nurse, an Industrial Nurse, and a Supervisor on “C” Hospital at Dixon State School.
Having inherited from both parents a great talent and love for music she decided to “shift gears” and became a full-time Professional Musician entertaining as organist, pianist, and vocalist for over forty years, performing locally not only singly, but with various bands and traveling on the road through eight states.
She was married to Richard C. Thomas. She was later married to Cruz T. Sierra. Both preceded her.
She was the mother of three sons, Michael A. (Sandy) Thomas of Polo, IL Gregory C.(Sharon) Thomas of Davis, IL Bradford N. Thomas of Sterling, IL one daughter Linda (Chuck) Wagener of Rockford. She was a proud grandmother of eight: Shane, Brent, Brandi, Matthew, Jody, Keith, Shawn and Tyler; And 10 Great Grandchildren
Through all the busy demands of her two careers, her family has remained the most important part of her life.
Funeral service is at 7.P.M. Tuesday February 1, 2011 at Schilling Funeral Home, with the Reverend Paul Judd, of First United Methodist church, officiating. Visitation will be from 4-7P.M. Tuesday February 1, 2011 prior to funeral service at 7P.M.
Private burial will take place at a later date.
A memorial has been established.