Dorothy M. Thomas, 91, Minot, died Sunday, May 3, 2015, in a Minot hospital.

Dorothy Marie Pistulka was born on April 26, 1924 on the family farm at Fairfax, South Dakota to Albert and Margaret (Opst Cahoy) Pistulka, the youngest of three children. God loaned us this Angel and called her home to his loving arms peacefully on May 3rd, 2015 at the age of 91, in the Minot Hospital.

Dorothy was a 1942 graduate of Fairfax High School, and in 1945 she graduated as a registered nurse at St. Joseph's Hospital and School of Nursing in Mitchell, SD. She continued to work there at the hospital, before her and three girlfriends traveled on to Hawaii to work at a hospital there. She returned to San Francisco and graduated as a dental hygienist, working in this capacity in Pierre, SD and Omaha, NE before being introduced to Michael Thomas in 1963. They were united in marriage on April 4, 1964 at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Fairfax, S.D.

She was a devoted, loving wife and mother, working hard on the family farm north of Balfour, until her and Mike semi-retired to Minot in April of 1992. Michael passed away on April 27, 2003 and Dorothy continued to reside in their home with the help of her many children. In addition to the countless hours spent in prayer and watching the daily Mass on TV, she loved to bake and read, especially the daily comics, and visit with her family and grandchildren. Her love for God and Michael, and a funny cartoon, were very evident to anyone who visited Dorothy's home. Dorothy was a self-taught organ player and spent many hours playing hymns in homage to God and anyone who was able to witness this was inspired by her devotion.

Dorothy will be forever remembered by all as a gentle, faithful, spiritual, loving, caring person who always brought a beautiful smile and a friendly presence to all who knew her. She was an amazing gift to Michael and his children and they will be forever indebted to her unselfishness' and sacrifice to raise them, forsaking her own dreams.

Those who were honored to share her life: step-children: Isadore Thomas, Seattle, WA, Raphael (Wanda) Thomas, Scottsboro, AL; Hilary (Bertha) Thomas, Fargo, ND; Mark Thomas, Minot, ND; Rebecca Thomas, Aurora, CO; Luke (Debbie) Thomas, Dallas, TX; Rodney Thomas, Kief, ND; Deborah (Victor) Bewley, Aurora, CO; Leroy (Shirley) Thomas, Minot, ND; Constance (Randy) Dosch, Minot, ND; Eldon Thomas, Newcastle, CO; Gerard (Lori) Thomas, Becker, MN; 17 grandchildren: Tonya, Jennifer, Jeremy, Nathan, Matthew, Ida Leah, Adam, Lacey, Hilary, Rachel, Waylon, Stephanie, Evan, Ethan, Dylan, Skyler and Christina; 6 great-grandchildren: Phillip, Carson, Leonardo, Chandler, Sierra, and Maya; numerous nieces and nephews and cousins also survive.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Michael; sister, Margaret and her husband, Leonard; and brother, Robert and his wife, Rita.

Graveside services for Dorothy (Pistulka) Thomas, age 91, formerly of Fairfax, SD will be held Monday, May 11, 2015 at 11:00 AM at St. Anthony's Catholic Cemetery, Fairfax. There will be a visitation at St. Anthony's Catholic Church on Monday from 9:30 AM until 10:45 AM.