Kemera Sue Thomas

Kemera Sue Thomas, “Kemie”, passed away on January 9, 2025, peacefully in her sleep in her home at The Springs Assisted Living in Butte. Kemie was born in Butte, the third child of Eddie and Florence (Giles) Thomas, with older siblings Fred and Debbie. Kemie, as she was known by family and friends, attended Washington School, where she met her oldest and dearest friend, Ronnie Counts. She was a proud Butte High Bulldog and finished in 1975. She moved to Southern California to participate in an independent living program for people with disabilities before coming back to Butte to live with her parents. After her father Eddie passed in 1988, Kemie remained home to help her mom until her mom passed away in 2001. Then Kemie lived with her dear niece Lisa Thomas before living on her own. Later on, Kemie moved to the cottages at Big Sky/Waterford where she lived for 13 years before moving to The Springs in 2023. When Kemie was a young child, her parents were advised to put her in an institution for children with disabilities, but her parents insisted that she would learn to read and write, ride a bike, ice skate, and ski, just like other typical children, and she did all of those things, and more, and her family was very proud of her and her accomplishments. Kemie attended Gold Hill Lutheran Church, took ice skating lessons and performed in ice shows in Butte. She participated in Special Olympics in nordic and alpine skiing, bowling, swimming, softball, and bocce ball. She had many medals that she was very proud of. Kemie enjoyed traveling with her family on trips to visit her many cousins, to Alaska, Seattle, California and Coeur d’Alene. Kem had many special memories with her family and friends. She loved family get togethers, water skiing at Georgetown Lake and she was very proud of her niece Lisa and nephew Paul, and her great nephews. She took a special 60th birthday trip to Maui, Hawaii with her dear sister Debbie and several trips to visit her in California. She loved the Chip ’n’ Dale chipmunks and was their biggest fan, and had a large collection. In September Kemie celebrated her 70th birthday with friends and family with a party at the Belmont Senior Center. It including a special visit by Chip ’n’ Dale. In 2021 Kemie retired from Butte Sheltered Workshop (BSW) after 25 great years; work that she was very proud of. She moved to The Springs in 2023 and was delighted to spend her retirement years playing bingo and enjoying all the activities offered at The Springs, and being loved and cared for by their incredible team. Kemie was so grateful to her guardians, brother Fred and sister Debbie for taking care of everything for her health and happiness after her parents passed away. Kemie was preceded in death by her parents, Ed and Florence Thomas, brother Fred Thomas, and sister Debbie Wieser. She is survived by her brother in law John Weiser of Coeur d’Alene, sister in law Linda Thomas, niece Lisa Thomas, nephew Paul Thomas and his wife JoElla, and their sons Bryce (Isabelle Ralph), Jayden (Kaylee Sweet), Logan (Sofia Groesbeck), lifelong friend Ronnie Counts, all of Butte, and many cousins, friends, neighbors, and companions from The Springs and Compassionate Heart Home Services. Her family would like to thank all the very special people who helped Kemie belong, feel included, loved, cared for, and important. A family burial service will take place in June at Sunset Cemetery. Thank you to Wayrynen-Richards Funeral Home. Memorial gifts can be made to Butte Sheltered Workshop (BSW), 845 S Wyoming St., Butte 59701 “Disability should never disqualify anyone from accessing every aspect of life” Emma Thompson

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Kemera Sue Thomas

September 30, 1954 - January 9, 2025