Carol Pollmann Thomas
Carol Thomas, born Carol Francis Pollmann, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 25, 2009. She was at home, lovingly surrounded by her family. Carol was born in Polson, at the same hospital where all three of her girls were born. She was the second youngest of five children born to Louie and Marion (Harlan) Pollmann on January 21, 1939. She graduated from Polson High School in l957, marrying her high school sweetheart Gary Thomas, on January 24, 1958, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Gary and Carol lived in Polson until 1969 when they moved to Lake Mary Ronan to run a family owned camping and fishing resort , Camp Tuffit, along with Gary’s brother, Mark and wife, Dianne. Carol was very active in the operation of the resort, working hard to keep the camp “spic and span” for many years. Carol had an immense passion for the game of golf. She and Gary would get out on the course as often as their work would allow and in later years were able to travel to warm places where golf courses were plentiful. Carol felt fortunate to have personally witnessed some of the greatest golfers of all time such as Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicholas, Lee Trevino and Gary Player. She loved watching Tiger Woods and seldom missed a tournament on TV. Carol loved to garden which proved to be a challenge in the woods where she and Gary lived. Regardless, new flowers were planted every spring (or fall) and the hummingbirds were spoiled. Carol was a social person, who loved to visit with friends, enjoy a game of bridge or spend time with her family. She was an avid reader and never went to sleep at night without a good book. Her mornings weren’t complete without doing the previous day’s Missoulian crossword puzzle. No one dared mess with her crosswords! Carol had many, many close friends; some she knew “forever” and some she knew just a short time. Regardless, she took her friendships seriously and held them close to her heart. Her quiet compassion will be missed by all who knew her.
Carol was preceded in death by her parents, Louie and Marion, her oldest sister, Lillian, and her beloved niece Marian Dooley.
She is survived by Gary, her husband of 51 years, daughters, Jean (Wayne) Haskins of Elmo, Tracy Thomas of Polson and Jennifer (Ryan) Maroney of Lake Mary Ronan. Also, her grandchildren; Sydney (Derek) Alexander and Jessica (Dennis) Alexander, Joel Haskins, Sam Stolz, all of Polson and Calliope Mikulecky and Achilles Maroney of Lake Mary Ronan. Great-grandchildren Riley Berlin, Shay Alexander and Tristin and Emily Alexander. Sisters, Eva Funke and Karen (Dan) Corcoran and brother Chub (Harlan) Pollmann.
Services will be held on Thursday at the New Life Christian Church at 2:00 p.m. with a reception following. Cremation has taken place and a private inurnment will take place at another time. In memory of Carol, the family suggests donations be made to the Polson City Library. A special thank you to Dr. Judy Schmidt, Jill, Joni and staff at the Guardian Oncology and Center for Wellness in Missoula, Montana. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. We love you mom mom.
To all of the Carol and Gary Thomas family: My family is very saddened by Carol’s passing and by no longer being able to physically see her, speak with her, see her sparkling eyes and hear her laughter. Being a Red Door person, I will miss seeing her working with her flowers. I admit that it added a lot to my time at The Lake having her beautiful presence around; she was, in ever respect, a truly beautiful woman. Spiritually, I strongly believe Carol always will be at The Lake. I know I will feel her presence, just as I do Charlie’s, Jerome’s and Ruth’s. There is just too much to these people to simply disappear–and this certainly holds true for Carol.
As a final note, this year marks the 90th year since my family first visited Camp Tuffit, so you know that we have known all of you for quite some time. We have always cherished and will continue to cherish our time with you–each of you–and pray that will continue for years to come.
Her suffering has ended but your missing her has just begun. Our deepest sympathies to all of you!
Amy and Al Knutson
Dear Gary and family,
We were shocked and saddened as we read the paper this morning.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the entire family at Camp
Tuffit and all over the region, reaching to Spokane and beyond. Carol
is a beautiful wonderful woman whose legacy will live on forever in the
hearts and minds of all she loved.
I wish we could be with all of you at the service, but we will be there
in thought and prayer. much love, Kim and Sheri
Dear Gary and Family,
I am very sorry to hear of Carol’s passing. Please accept my condolences.
Sincerely, Dick Twilde
It will not be the same without Aunt Carol. Our prayers go out to all of you. Love you guys.
Gary & Family,
It was with a great sense of loss when we heard of Carol’s passing. The Thomas family and Camp Tuffit have created many wonderful memories for us, our children and grand-children and we are profoundly grateful. Carol’s passing will leave a void in our lives and in the hearts of all those who knew her. Our sincere thoughts and prayers are with you.
With deepest sympathy,
Greg & Yvonne Harder
Der Gary and Family,
We mourn your loss and have you in our prayers. We did not know Carol but know the lake she loved and all of you. Our condolences. Gary.
Don and Darleen Hjelmseth
Missoula and Camp Tuffit over the years.
Gary & family,
Know that this life here on earth is just a short time compared to the life where Carol is now without pain or suffering. We will spend many more days with her and our heavenly father someday. Peace and prays are with you ar this time. Carol will shurly be missed by many but we will be reunited someday soon! Diane Alderdice
Dear Gary & Family
It was with great sadness that I received the news of Carol’s passing. I would like to express my, and my families, most sincere sympathies to all of you at this difficult time.
Carol was one of the sweetest, most loving ladies I ever had the pleasure of knowing and I will miss her very much. I will never forget her laugh.
My thoughts and prayers are with you today as you say goodbye to the wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, that we all know Carol was.
Be strong and know that your friends, far and near, are here for you.
Linda (Dan) Bushey
So very saddened to learn of Carol’s passing. It was a long struggle with cancer and now her pain has ended. Am thankful that she was able to have family with her at her peaceful passing. She will be missed, but lovingly kept alive in our memories. We always enjoyed the visits and know it will not be the same at Camp Tuffit without her around. Our prayers go out to Gary and the Thomas Family for peace of mind and heart at this difficult time.
With our deepest sympathy,
Bob and Cary Million
Higginsville, Missouri
Such a bright and shining star….. this will create such a change at Lake Mary Ronan….it was always a pleasure to drive the milk truck up to the resort and have Gary and Carol there to greet me……she’ll be missed, but will always hold sweet memories in our hearts, and fun things to remember in our minds…..and we will spend eternity remembering good times at Lake Mary Ronan and Polson…….
Remember all the good times, the sweet things…….and know she isn’t really gone, just a step away….
God Bless you All and help you through these most difficult days. We all share in the loss of dear Carol and you are in our thoughts and prayers, especially today.
To think of Ronan is to think of Carol. She is such a part of every cabin, campfire, potluck, afternoon gathering at the big red tables, and now she will be the new bright star twingling overhead, watching over iti all.
Rest in Peace, Carol. You have been a brave soldier and your family is blessed to share your legacy. We will miss you alot!!
Gary, Tracy, Jean, Jenny and families,
We are deeply saddened at learning of your wife’s (mother’s) passing. Having lost my father a year ago, I know full well the void that is in your soul at this moment.
Know that your pain and sorrow are shared by family and friends.
May you find comfort in knowing so many care.
As you grieve, remember God has promised
That comfort will come,
That peace will be sestored,
That tears will eventually cease.
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes.
There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain,
for the old order of things has passed away. Revelation 21:4
With deepest sympathy
Dave and Bobbie Hafer
Gary and all of the Thomas Family,
We we so sorry to hear about your loss of Carol. Two Matriarchs of the Camp Tuffit World will be missed by so many people. I remember Carol when she was a cheerleader in high school, when she was my neighbor in Grandview, when she always had a smile on her face and would make me feel special and important when ever she was around. She had a super sense of humor and a contagious smile! I feel for your loss! Keep her alive in your memories, your conversations, and your stories. She is at peace now. I pray for peace to come to your grief.
My heartfelt condolences. May you find comfort in the many memories she made with each and everyone of you. She is such a part of Tuffit that her voice & presence will always be just around the corner.
All my love,
Tammie
I am so sorry to hear about Carol’s passing, although I’m sure she is in a much better place. I had hoped to see her when I was home for our class reunion in June last year. However, her health wouldn’t permit. Bless you Gary and all of your family. You two were an inspiration to all. Love, Doreen (Bjarko) Forth.
Dear Gary, Jean, Tracy and Jenn, Carol was a great gal. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Mike Roberts
I am sorry that this is so late. Carol was always very warm to me and made me feel always at home all thoes years ago at camp. My heart goes out to Gary and the whole family. I send you a very big hug Jen. Love M
this woman was the best great grandma ever i miss here very much and thank you for your comments
I am so sorry about your loss. I thought carol and gary were very nice. Carol had a Great smile and was a kind person. I did not know her well but I enjoyed camp tuffit with my dad when I was younger. Gary and Carol made me feel very welcome. Again I am very sorry for your loss.
SINCERELY TIFFANY POLLMANN