Loeta Thompson

(From Konantz Warden Funeral Home)

Lottie Loeta (Tullis) Thompson passed away on Thursday February 4, 2021. She was born in rural Carthage, MO on November 10, 1926 to Jim and Mary (McDaniel) Tullis. 

She graduated from Jasper High School in 1946 and moved to Springfield, MO where she lived with her Uncle R.E. McDaniel’s family and attended Blue Bonnet Beauty School. She always remembered her time there fondly. She was treated like another daughter and her cousin Shug Hancock became a sister in a relationship they continued for the rest of her life. 

In 1950 she was working at the Charm Beauty Shop in Jasper, MO when she met Norman Thompson, who was working at the local funeral home. From that point on it is hard to refer to Loeta without including Norman. 

On March 11, 1951 she married Norman Thompson at the First Christian Church in Jasper, MO. Loeta waited at home while Norman served in the Army from 1951 to 1953. After he returned, they made their home in Lamar, MO. 

Norman and Loeta came to work for Carl Konantz in 1953 and she fixed hair and continued to be the smiling face at the door of the funeral home until her death. She was a member of the First Christian Church in Lamar, MO and continued to serve there putting together the newsletter and bulletins every week. She served in many positions in the church including VBS and collected stamps at church that they turned in to money for missions. She also ordered Sunday school material, sang in the choir, helped in the nursery, and worked the kitchen at Camp Cyokamo for many years. She was a faithful member, since 1953 of the Golden Band Sunday school class. 

Loeta and Norman were dedicated to Barton County and Lamar. They supported the Veterans, the History of our county, and the Community through faithful service and always had a project or organization that they supported with their time and finances. They were members of the American Legion where she served as treasurer for many years. They were part of the Camera Club where they enjoyed taking photos. They collected photos throughout the year and created a slide show at the fair that played at Maberry’s Barber Shop. They served on the Lamar Free Fair Board. 

Loeta served as the Superintendent of Pastries at the fair for many years, preparing the exhibit for judging. She also organized and provided refreshments for the monthly Barton County Historical Society meeting. 

Together with Norman she organized a Surviving Spouses group that met, had activities, and went to dinner and other outings together. She was a member of the the Fiber Art Guild, the Business and Professional Women, Red Hatters, delivered Meals on Wheels, was an election poll worker and enjoyed her time, outings and special friendships with the Chat and Chew. There is not enough room to list all the work completed by this couple with a servant’s heart. Their contribution to Barton County was never ending. Complacency was not in their nature. There was always work to be done. 

Loeta loved music and completing crossword puzzles from the Joplin Globe. She kept a diary and photo books of her life and of the lives of those she loved. She loved to travel and see God’s majesty. In all, Loeta and Norman lived a full and contented life. 

Survivors include her children, Phillip and wife Kim of Bakersfield, CA, and Jan and Phillip Hofschulte of Miami, OK; three grandchildren, Chris and wife Kaitlyn Hofschulte of Miami, OK, Natalie Hofschulte of Miami, OK and Nick and wife Holly Hofschulte of Miami, OK. She is also survived by great-grandchildren Kinley Marie Hofschulte, Harper Hofschulte, Hayslyn Hofschulte and Halee Hofschulte; and sisters-in- law Thelma Friebe and Mona Tullis and many other loving family members and friends. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and her siblings Bill Tullis, Charlie (Pauline)Tullis, and Jim (Shirley)Tullis. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the FCC Family Life Center or to the Barton County Senior Center. 

A funeral service was held on Wednesday February 10, 2021 at 1:00 PM at First Christian Church in Lamar, MO.