Mildred E. Thomas

Pangborn Thomas

May 14, 1912 – May 20, 2013

Due to complications of a blood clot, Mildred went to be with the Lord on May 20, 2013, after reaching the age of 101.

Mildred Ellen Goswick was born on May 14, 1912, in Hartville, MO to Ralph L. and Sabra Atlanta Goswick, their first-born. She was born a month after the Titanic sunk. Think of all the history that has happened and inventions since she was born. When Mildred was five, she and her parents moved to Colorado by train, settling on Redlands Mesa near Eckert, CO. Her brother, Wayne, and sister, Iris, were born in CO. When in junior high everyone was given a test and moved in grades accordingly. Mother skipped the eighth grade and went to ninth. Since there were no high schools on Redlands, she rented a room in Delta to attend high school, graduating in 1931. Little did she know, she and her husband would later own this house. Mildred married Harry Rugene Pangborn on May 1, 1933. The children of this couple were; Donald Ray and Iris Kay Pangborn.

Mildred worked at Hollands in Delta in the piece goods department (sewing material). Upon moving to Grand Junction, CO the second time in 1956, she worked at Manuel's and then JC Penney's in piece goods. Returning to Delta in 1963, she transferred to the Delta JC Penney's and then took a position at Hollands and stayed when it became Mr. Roberts.

Mildred's hobby was sewing and creating clothes and items for the house. In every house we lived in, she made drapes for the living room. She made curtains, bedspread, bed skirts pillow shams, a vanity skirt & pillowcase for the pillow for the vanity stool, for her daughter. She sewed almost all of the clothes for Iris and some for her niece, Lois, and many, many doll clothes for both girls. She also sewed a lot of outfits for herself. She belonged to the Home Extension Club in Grand Junction and learned cake decoration and other home decorating ideas. It was a close group of about 20 ladies that met monthly at each other's house.

Mildred was active in PTA at Lincoln OM Grade School, assisted with Iris' Girl Scout troop, and was a Room Mother while Iris was in grade school.

Mildred's interests also included drawing, crafts, poetry, reading, entertaining many in her home with home-cooked meals, hosting groups from church presenting programs, and she loved her family and friends. Her spiritual gift was hospitality. She would always have the visiting preacher and Pastor Bob come for home-made noodles and chicken for a lunch. She was instrumental in organizing several of her high school class reunions.

She belonged to the Delta Memorial Hospital Pink Ladies Volunteers for over 20 years, was a member of Royal Neighbors of America for over 50 years taking several positions including oracle and treasurer. She helped with taxes at the Senior Citizens Center for several years. She was a member of the T&R Club (Tired & Retired), on the Baptist Church Flower Committee, Kitchen Committee, and served as Deaconess many years helping prepare communion and helping with baptisms. She was a member of the Grand Mesa Bible Church for several years. She also attended exercise class at the Senior Citizens Center and Thompson Manor at least twice a week for six years.

In addition to all her activities, she kept her house clean and decorative and provided her family with delicious meals, home-made ice cream, bread and rolls, and lots of jam, candies, cookies, and cakes.

No matter what came her way, her faith in God kept her going. After losing her first husband on October 15, 1978, and her son on January 9, 1979, and Harry's dog, Tobby , the following February, she married a brother-in-law, Verne Thomas from Iowa on August 25, 1982. They enjoyed many good times before he passed away on June 20, 1987. Verne made Mildred laugh every day and he told her he loved her every day. All of Verne's kids loved Mildred and came to her various birthday parties.

After Verne passed away, Mildred sold her home and got rid of most of her possessions, it was a very emotional time. She moved to Thompson Manor in a duplex. She enjoyed meeting others while living there and made special friends. She enjoyed the monthly potlucks where she could cook and take one of her favorites. When she could no longer manage, she moved to The Retreat at Palisade Assisted Living, Palisade, CO with her cat, Cali, to be closer to her daughter. She lived there until she broke her hip in September, 2010. She then moved to Mesa Manor Nursing Home. She was always a happy camper and workers enjoyed her. Thanks to the workers there that took so good care of her!

Preceding her in death besides her two husbands, Harry and Verne, were both her parents, Ralph and Sabra Atlanta Goswick; her son, Donald Pangborn; sister and brother-in-law, Iris and Truman Pugh of San Marcos, CA; her brother and sister-in-law, Wayne and Fern Goswick of Grand Junction, CO; a niece, Lois Goswick Elsmore of Grand Junction, CO; a nephew, Kenneth Pugh from CA, shot down over China during Viet Nam era; two step-sons, Lyle and Glenn Thomas of NC and IA respectfully; a step-daughter and husband, Verna and Malcom Baird of IA, and many dear friends.

Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Iris and Sherman Moore of Grand Junction, CO; two grandsons, Steven Rugene Moore and Robert Bearl Moore both of Grand Junction, CO; a nephew and niece-in-law, Byron and Shaaron Goswick of Erie, CO; a nephew-in-law and wife, Steve and Peggy Elsmore of Grand Junction, CO; a nephew, Dick and Gaye Pangborn of El Cajon, CA; a niece, Jean and John Dapper of Grants Pass, OR; a niece, Betty Linker of Denver, CO; a cousin, Donald Goswick of Grovespring, MO; another cousin, Ernest Goswick of Springfield, MO; three step-daughters, Hazel Storm of Stuart, IA; Janet and Larry Aldriich of Cedar Rapids, IA, and Judy and Don Bunney of Marion, IA; a step-daughter-in-law, Rosalee and Jim Wilson of Raleigh, NC; 23 step-grandchildren, and other relatives.

Mildred will be missed greatly for her giving of herself to others in love and living her faith day to day.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Martin Mortuary, 550 North Ave., Grand Junction, CO.

Due to it being Memorial Day Weekend, internment will take place first at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 25th, at the Delta City Cemetery with Pastor Merle Miller officiating. There will be a viewing on Friday night at Martin Mortuary from 4 - 7:00 p.m. A memorial service will follow at the Mortuary with Pastor Merle Miller officiating at 2:00 p.m .

Donations may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care of Western Colorado, 3090 North 12th Street, Unit B, Grand Junction, CO 81506.

Arrangements entrusted to www.martinmortuary.com.