Herta M. Thomas

Herta Mayr Thomas peacefully passed away on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at Miller’s Merry Manor, Plymouth.

Born in her home in Gmunden, Austria on April 28, 1928, she was the only child of Karl and Hermine (Hager) Mayr.

Herta met a U.S. soldier at a Red Cross dance and a courtship ensued. She joined Robert DeVon Thomas on USA soil on December 1, 1947, and they were married on December 7, 1947, in the First United Methodist Church in Plymouth Indiana. She and DeVon would enjoy nearly 73 years of marriage. Although raised in the Catholic religion, she became a member of the First United Methodist Church and participated in many of their philanthropic activities.

On December 4, 1950, Herta proudly took the oath of United States Citizenship. Every Sunday evening, she wrote a letter to her parents in Austria and mailed it on Monday, fulfilling her promise to her parents to correspond weekly.

Primarily a homemaker, Herta worked at St. Michael’s cafeteria until retiring in 1986. She loved reading and discovering new facts by reading her prized Encyclopedia Britanica volumes. Her expertise in knitting, crocheting, and cross stitching produced many keepsakes. She even taught her husband to knit. As a couple Herta and DeVon enjoyed camping, gardening, and weekend dancing with friends. She valued her friendships both local and homeland. She and her Plymouth friends would shop, take long walks and have the old-style neighborhood conversations. She remained in touch with her lifelong friend Hansi in Austria until her illness. She logged over 2000 miles on her bicycle, a feat she was quite proud of.

Herta is survived by her two daughters, Gloria (Scott) Buzzard and Diana (Dale) Ehlers and also grandchildren Monica (Brad) Parkhurst, Michael Chad (Rachael) Eyrich, Jacob (Melanie) Ehlers, Megan (Jim) Backhaus, and Amanda (Felipe) Ehlers-Diaz. Great-grandchildren are Thomas Evan (Emily), Alexander, Celia, Gianna, Oliver, Urban, Jayden, Audrey, Elizabeth, Saira, Katherine, Jocelyn, and Genevieve. Aunt Herta will be missed by niece Jan McKelvie and nephew Jim Shaffer.

Herta was preceded in death by her loving husband and parents.

The family would like to extend deep gratitude to the staff at Miller's Merry Manor and Traditions Health Hospice for their caring attention to Herta on her final earthly journey. 

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the First United Methodist Church, 400 N. Michigan Street, Plymouth IN 46563 or Traditions Health Hospice, 3555 Park Place West, Suite 100 Mishawaka IN 46545.