Geraldine Nielsen Thomas

Geraldine Nielsen Thomas, 85, also known as Gerrie, passed away peacefully at her home, in Salem, Oregon on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 with her daughters Teri, Stacie, and Kelly by her side.

Gerrie was born on September 30, 1938 in Mt. Sterling, Utah to LaMarr J. Nielsen and Blanch McBride Nielsen. She was the oldest of two children. As a young girl, Gerrie moved to California with her family. She graduated from Van Nuys High School in 1956, where she met her sweetheart, Ed Thomas. He was 17 and she was 15. It was love at first sight.

Ed and Gerrie were married on March 23, 1957 in Van Nuys, California. From this union, Ed and Gerrie were blessed with four children: Teri Lee (Robinson), Edwin Alfonso III (deceased), Stacie Christina, and Kelly Shawn (Williams). They had six grandchildren: Jamie Robinson (Walton), Tyler Robinson, Kaitlyn Williams, Taylor Williams, Joshua Williams, and Madelyn Williams. They also had four great grandchildren: Gracie, Charlie, Juliette, and Betsy Walton.

Gerrie worked side-by-side with Ed for over twenty years running their motorhome dealership in California.  Not long after retirement, they settled in Salem, Oregon. Gerrie and Ed loved their time in Salem caring for their home and spending time with the many friends they met there.

Gerrie is survived by three daughters and two sons-in-law (Teri and Kris Robinson, Stacie Thomas, and Kelly and Troy Williams), five grandchildren (Jamie Robinson-Walton, Tyler Robinson, Taylor Williams, Joshua Williams, and Madelyn Williams), her brother and his wife (Terry and Kathy Nielsen).

Gerrie was preceded in death by her sweetheart and husband (Edwin Alfonso Thomas, Jr.), parents (LaMarr J. and Blanch McBride Nielsen), parents-in-law (Edwin Alfonso and Eva Madeline Thomas), her son (Edwin Alfonso Jr.), and her granddaughter (Kaitlyn Rose Williams).