Neoma Thomas

Neoma Alt Thomas passed away November 1, 2024, at Northridge Village, Ames, IA, from complications of Parkinson’s Disease following a courageous 10-year struggle.

Neoma was born May 24, 1943, in Carroll, IA, to William Alt, Jr. and Rose Axelsen. She always felt pride in sharing her birth date with Queen Victoria. Neoma spent her early years in rural Audubon County, IA, enjoying farm life and attending one-room school. In 1951, she moved to Audubon, IA, where she attended community schools, graduating in 1962 from Audubon High School. She was a natural artist. As an AHS student, she won Younker’s Key Scholastic Art Award. She pursued her studies at Kansas City Art Institute, graduating in 1962 with a graphic design BFA degree. Before moving to Australia, she worked briefly at the Walker Museum in Minneapolis, MN. Residing in Sydney for seven years, Neoma worked at the Government Printing Office and then as an Art Instructor at the University of New South Wales. Neoma and her daughter Ngaire returned to the United States in 1974 via container cargo ship.

After time in Joplin, MO, Neoma joined Meredith Publishing in Des Moines, rising to the position of Associate Art Director, Better Homes and Gardens Books. In 1988, she and her husband Phil moved from Des Moines to Clarke County, IA. In 1993, they moved to Webster City, IA. Neoma devoted 8 years to restoring the Zitterell House in Webster City, getting it named to the National Register of Historic Places. In 2001, Neoma and Phil moved to Ames, IA. Neoma turned her attention to Audubon, and the Audubon County Historical Society. She was successful in getting the former Audubon County Poor Farm (Nathanial Hamlin Park) designated a National Historic District.

Neoma and Phil enjoyed spending post-retirement winter months at their Sun City, AZ residence.

Neoma is survived by her husband Phil of Ames, daughter Ngaire West of Des Moines, brother John Alt of Kearney, MO, grandson Logan Hemmen of Fort Collins, CO, niece Melissa Alt of Liberty, MO, and nephews Jon Jorgensen of Waukee, IA, and Aaron Jorgensen of Ross, IA. She was preceded in death by her parents, half-sister Ruth Alt, half-brother Raymond Alt, half-sister Marie Byriel, brother Robert Alt, and sister Jane Jorgensen, all of Audubon County, IA.

Neoma’s family includes stepchildren Phil Thomas, Jr. (Jessica) of Prairie Village, KS, Tim Thomas (Natalie) of Shawnee, KS, Liz Robbins (John) of Pleasant Hill, IA, and Abby Briney (Kevin) of Cedar Rapids, IA, 15 stepgrandchildren, and four step-great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, Neoma’s family suggests contributions to either New Opportunities Audubon County Family Development Center - Food Distribution Center, 109 Tracy Street, Audubon, IA 50025, or St. Joseph's Indian School, 1301 North Main Street, Chamberlain, SD 57325.

The funeral for Neoma will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 07, 2024, at the First United Methodist Church in Audubon, IA, with Pastor Carla Evers officiating the service. A visitation will be held one hour before the funeral also held at the church. A luncheon will be held following the funeral service in the Fellowship Hall of the First United Methodist Church. Interment will be held at a later date in Audubon.

Arrangements are handled with the Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Audubon, IA.