Herbert Thomas, age 73, of 1345 Michigan Ave. SW, Huron, SD, died Sunday, October 25, 2009, at SunQuest Healthcare Center in Huron.

His body has been cremated and his memorial service will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, October 29, at Welter Funeral Home with burial of his cremated remains at 3:00 p.m. Thursday at Riverside Cemetery in Pierre.

There will be no visitation.

Herbert W. Thomas, son of Herbert R. and Harriet F. (Woodard) Thomas, was born on July 19, 1936, in Pierre, SD. He grew in Pierre and on a ranch in Ft. Bennett, and graduated from Pierre High School in 1953 at the age of 16. He attended and graduated from the School of Mines in 1957, receiving a degree in chemical engineering. He moved to Huron where he worked for Northwestern Public Service as manager of gas operations. He retired from there in 1991.

On August 13, 1982, Herb was married to Autumn (Merrick) Kerr.

He attended American Lutheran Church; and was a member and volunteer at the Huron Area Senior Center where he was Mr. Fix-it.

His many interests included playing bridge of which he was a life-master; volunteering for Meals on Wheels; woodworking making bird feeders and wooden flowers. His special pride, though, was for his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Autumn of Huron; 1 son, James (Jan) Thomas of Scotland, United Kingdom; 1 daughter, Susan Hawkins of Belle Fourche, SD; 4 step children, Carolyn (Larry) Ames of Huron, Janice (Kendal) Thompson of Everly, IA, Raymond Kerr of Lake Preston, SD, and Kathy (Jason) Roseland of Marshalltown, IA; 16 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; 2 sisters, Dr. Julie (William) Thomas of Des Moines, IA, and Marilyn Ellingson of Thornton, CO; and 1 niece, Deann Ellingson of Thornton, CO.

He was preceded in death by his parents.