Sebastian A. Thomas, 92, of New Rockford, ND formerly of Oberon, ND, died Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd in New Rockford.  Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, April 30th, 2011,   10:30 AM at St. John's Catholic Church in New Rockford with Fr. Bernard Pfau celebrant. Burial will be 1:00 pm Saturday in Hillside Cemetery at Oberon.  The North Dakota National Guard Military Honors Team will be conducting the Military Rites.  Visitation will be Friday from 5 to 7pm in the church, followed by a 7:00 PM Vigil and Rosary with Fr. Bernie Pfau and Fr. Chuck Leute O.P. officiating. Casket bearers will be:  Jodi Guler,  Josh Guler,  Tim Kessler,  Brady Thomas,  Cody Thomas,  Joshua Thomas and Reece Thomas.  Music will be from Renee Gilderhus, vocalist and Heather Klocke, organist.

Sebastian Adam Thomas was born August 21, 1918 at Wellsburg, ND to Frank and Magdalena (Hager) Thomas.  He entered the Army on November 11, 1942 at Fort Snelling, MN.  During WWII, he served as an Ammunition Carrier in the southern Philippines Island in the battles of Bismarck Archipelago and Luzon.  He was awarded the Philippine Liberation Medal with one Bronze Star and was discharged at Fort Lewis, WA on November 20th, 1945 as a Private First Class. On October 25, 1949, Sebastian married Maggie Haberlock at Granville, ND.  The couple farmed south of Minnewaukan for a few years and later, purchased their own farmstead in West Antelope  Township, near Oberon.  After  more than 20 years in West Antelope Township, the family moved into Oberon in 1970.  Sebastian worked at the farms of Henry Kolsrud and Howard Schmid during the spring and summer and assisted Jens Nielsen with carpentry work during the winters.  He also mowed lawns in Oberon for many years until retiring in 1989.  Maggie died January 1, 1984.

Sebastian was a member of  Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Fort Totten,  a lifetime member and past commander of the Gerald A. Haskins American Legion Post #122 of Oberon and a lifetime member of the Eddy County VFW Post #3696 of Sheyenne, ND.   He enjoyed working on lawn mower engines and keeping up his yard and trees.

Surviving  are 3 daughters:  Peggy Schaeffer of Plaza, ND,  Linda Thomas of Carrington, ND and  Connie Thomas of Devils Lake;  4 sons:  Harold of New Rockford,  Jeffrey (Karla) of Hazen, ND,  and Gregory & John of Oberon;  6 grandchildren;  1 great-grandchild;  2 sisters:  Agnes (Gene) Dyste of Churchs Ferry & Dorothy Johnson of Grand Forks;  a sister-in-law:  Agnes Thomas of Devils Lake; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his parents;  wife;  son-in-law:  Dean Schaeffer;  3 sisters:  Ann Gisi,  Ludvinia Wack &  Mary Richter and 5 brothers:  Frank,  Michael, Leonard,  Leo and Conrad.