Connie Kay (Bowman) Thomas, 74, longtime resident of Council Grove, KS, died in a tragic accident on Tuesday, August 11, 2020, in Herington, KS.

Connie was born May 17, 1946, at Council Grove, the daughter of Lorin Henry and Pauline Martel (Thomas) Bowman.

She grew up in Council Grove and graduated from Council Grove High School in 1964. Following graduation Connie and Chuck Downes were married. They became the parents of two children. They were later divorced but continued a close friendship.

Connie worked at the Cottage House and later she and Chuck owned and operated the Gambles Store in Council Grove. She then was employed as a custodian at USD 417 for a number of years before retiring in 2009. She was also a MaryKay saleswoman and enjoyed volunteering at the Council Grove Community Thrift Store.

On April 30, 1985, she and Allen Thomas were married in Council Grove and Connie embraced Allen's family as her own.

Connie had a strong faith and was baptized during her longtime patronage of Pleasant Ridge Christian Church north of Council Grove. When Pleasant Ridge closed, Connie and Allen started attending the Wilsey Christian Church.

Connie was a selfless person, always putting the needs of others ahead of her own. She loved her family and especially enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was always busy whether caring for her animals or her garden, always sharing what she grew with her family and others. She enjoyed helping Allen on the farm or other activities. She always had a smile for those she met. She will be greatly missed by many.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her only sibling, brother William "Bill" Bowman; a son-in-law, Dean Forsberg; and a granddaughter, Sierra Dawn, and a grandson Chad Thomas.

She leaves her husband, Allen; her children, son, Charles R. Downes (Cheryl) of Council Grove, and grandchildren, Ashleigh Dooley (Steven), and a great-granddaughter of Humboldt, KS, Rhiannon Downes (Fiance Bryan Chestnut) of Clay Center, KS, Makenzie Downes and Lakoddah Downes of Council Grove; daughter Cindy Jones (Lane) of Burlington, KS, and grandchildren, Trenton Ditto (Haley) of Lenexa, KS, Brock Ditto (Sara), of New Strawn, KS, Tiah Ditto of Emporia, KS, Sara Bucar (Nate) and a great-granddaugher of Arvada, CO, and Lance and Jordan Jones of Lawrence, KS; son Dale Thomas (Jeanine) of Belvidere, KS, and grandson, Jesse Thomas (Jenn) and a great-grandson of Chapman, KS; son, Charlie Thomas (Nancy) of Garfield, KS, and 4 great-grandchildren of Alma, KS, daughter Nanette Forsberg of Burdick, KS, and grandchildren, Sabrina Dunkin (David Sliger) and 10 great-grandchildren of Derby, KS, Joseph Forsberg (Jenna) and 3 great-grandchildren of of Herington, KS, Savannah Hicks (Willie) of Burdick, and Ethan Forsberg of Burdick; son Rex Thomas of KS, and grandchildren Danielle Scott and husband and great-grandson of Denver, CO, and grandson, Bret and Marcus Thomas of KS; her sister-in-law, Barbara Bowman of Council Grove; uncle and aunt, Byron Dale and Carma Thomas of Estes Park, CO; many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 A.M. Saturday, August 15, 2020, at the Wilsey Christian Church. The casket will remain closed and cremation will follow services.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Council Grove Community Thrift Store, 17 S. 5 ^th St., Council Grove, KS 66846, or the Wilsey Christian Church, 310 Lyndon St., Wilsey, KS 66873, or they may be sent in care of Jones Funeral Home, PO Box 277, Burlington, KS 66839.

The service will be live streamed on Facebook Live at this link, https://www.facebook.com/jonesfuneralhomeburlingtonks

IN FOLLOWING THE MORRIS COUNTY HEALTH OFFICER GUIDELINES ALL WHO ATTEND THE FUNERAL ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR A FACE MASK. IF YOU ARE SICK OR HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH SOMEONE WHO IS SICK PLEASE REFRAIN FROM ATTENDING THE SERVICE. THE FUNERAL HOME WILL HAVE MASKS AVAILABLE.

THIS IS THE LINK TO THE MORRIS COUNTY HEALTH OFFICER GUIDELINES

http://www.morriscountyks.org/Portals/ks-morris/Documents/MR%20order%20Mask%20Mandate%20(1).pdf