Lydia Thuot

Lydia Thuot 97, Athens, died Saturday, April 8, 2006 at Harmony Living Centers LLC, Wausau. She was born September 14, 1908 in Tuchin, Ukraine, during the 1908 "potato season" to the late Frederick and Frederica (Radke) Roesler, who emigrated with Lydia to Athens in 1910. Sawmills, farming, taking in boarders and washing clothes supported them and their seven children. Lydia went to Trinity Lutheran School through eighth grade, helping with the chores when not in boarding school. She continued helping with the farm until several years later, when she "Model T'd" to Milwaukee "in only one day" where she did housework in private homes and at Mt. Sinai Hospital, where she always wished she had stayed, hoping to become a nurse. Lydia alternated between working in Milwaukee and helping her parents on the farm near Goodrich. While in Milwaukee, Lydia met Peter Thuot where they married on July 5, 1927. Around 1930, they moved from Milwaukee to a small farm in Goodrich where Lydia and Peter survived the depression, and Lydia, an encounter with a mad bull. They raised seven children. In 1947, they sold the farm and purchased the P.J. Thuot Hardware Store in Athens. After her husband's death in 1967, Lydia continued to run the store, along with her son, Ray, until about 1972 when it was sold. She continued living in Athens until May of 2002, when she moved to the Harmong Living Center, Wausau, where she would be able to view Rib Mountain. Survivors include seven children, Eugene (Alcyone) Thuot, Marlin (Arleen) Thuot, Calvin (Faye) Thuot, Peter Jr. (Carol) Thuot, Norman (Carol) Thuot, Grace Lang and Ray (Therese) Thuot; 16 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; three great great grandchildren; one sister, Olga (Edwin) Kuck; and five sisters-in-law. Besides her parents and husband, Peter, she was preceded in death by six brothers. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 12, 2006 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Athens. Rev. Donn Radde will officiate. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Athens. Friends may call Tuesday from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Athens and again on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until time of services at the church. There will be a prayer service Tuesday at 7:45 p.m. at the funeral home in Athens. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Trinity Lutheran School, Athens. Online condolences at www.petersonkraemer.com