Margaret “Margie” Thomas passed away on May 23rd, 2026 at Highland Park Care Center Alliance, Nebraska. She was born on November 30th, 1938 in Crawford, Nebraska. Where she was adopted by her loving parents, Lloyd and Florence (Soester) Fluent.
Margie graduated from Crawford High School in 1957.
She welcomed her first child, Kurt Miller, while living in Yuma Arizona later returning to Crawford to work for the phone company as an operator.
Margie married the love of her life, Jim Thomas, on February 8, 1964. Together, they welcomed two more children, Lance and Shelly.
Margie and Jim owned Crawford Cold Storage, where they worked together for many years. After selling the business she returned to work at Ponderosa Villa and at Fort Robinson for several years. She volunteered at The Methodist Church, Crawford Museum, and Girls and Boys Scouts.
Margie loved dancing and rarely passed up an opportunity to buy a new pair of shoes or a new dress for any special event. She also enjoyed watching soap operas and Nebraska football while sipping a Diet Cherry Pepsi. Margie and Jim also enjoyed traveling to attend activities and special moments in the lives of their grandchildren. She could spend hours happily gossiping with friends and family on the phone. Her friends would call to get the latest local news true or not.
On November 29, 1984, Margie noticed an ad in the Crawford newspaper looking for a woman born in 1938 or 1939 whose mother’s name was Josephine Gustafson. She knew she had been adopted and that her mother’s maiden name was Gustafson. Ironically, the ad ran the same day as one wishing Margie a happy 46th birthday. With the support of her parents and family, she contacted her biological family and learned that she had two brothers, Bob and Frank Synoground.
She is survived by her son, Lance (Jean) Thomas of Alliance; daughter, Shelly Thomas of Chadron; grandchildren Dan (Katie) Thomas, Joelle Thomas, Emmalynn Thiry, Isabelle Thiry, and Olive Thiry; great-grandchildren Colt and Asher Thomas; and brother, Bob Synoground of Vancouver, Washington. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Jim Thomas; her son, Kurt Miller; her parents, Lloyd and Florence Fluent; and her brother, Frank Synoground.
Graveside services will be held Wednesday June 3rd , 11:00 a.m. at Greenwood Cemetery Chadron NE.
Memorials may be given to Highland Park Memory Support Unit, 1633 Sweetwater Alliance NE 69301.
Online condolences may be left at http://www.batesgould.com with Bates-Gould Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.