Rosa Ellen Thomas, 83, of Wichita, died Saturday, March 25, 2023, at LakePoint El Dorado. Born on December 20, 1939, in Brimson, Missouri, she was the daughter of Harl Kenneth and Dorothy Mae (Little) Wiles.
On November 28, 1959, Rosa married Larry Leroy Thomas in New London, Iowa. They moved to Hutchinson in 1965, and lived there until moving to Wichita in 1988. They shared almost 56 years of marriage prior to his death on October 26, 2015.
After gettng married, Rosa taught Sunday School at the Church of Christ in Hutchinson, took care of her four children, and ran a day care from her home in Hutchinson. One of her favorite jobs after her children were all grown was working at K-Mart. Rosa loved helping people find what they were looking for at the store.
In addition, she enjoyed gardening, watching birds and squirrels in the backyard, going to church, and was an avid reader. Rosa was a member of East Point Church of Christ, Wichita.
She is survived by: one son, Bradley (Andi) Thomas of El Dorado; two daughters, Brenda Hanes of Sterling and Sheryl (Jim) Wells of Flagstaff, AZ; six grandchildren, Elizabeth (Adam) Walmsley of Wichita, Michael McLaughlin of Paris, TX, Eric (April) McLaughlin of Reno, TX, Emily Hanes of Wichita, Edward Hanes of Sterling, Charles Thomas of El Dorado, and John Thomas of El Dorado; two great-grandchildren; four step great-grandchildren; and one sister, Mary Lucille Huber of Columbia, MO.
Rosa was preceded in death by: her parents Kenneth and Dorothy; brother John Wiles; husband Larry Thomas; and her oldest daughter, Julia Thomas Waggener.
Graveside service will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 31, 2023, at Fairlawn Burial Park, 2401 Carey Blvd, Hutchinson, with John Langley officiating. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Elliott Mortuary.
In lieu of flowers, please honor Rosa by going outside to enjoy flowers, watching birds and other animals, and making sure to feed the animals in your backyard. Or sing “You Are My Sunshine” or make someone laugh, read a good book and then share it with a friend, and hug your family members. If you wish to send a memorial, please do so to a charitable cause of your own choosing, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.