Thomas, Kris J.age 60, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on April 11, 2016 in Plant City, FL where she resided. She was born in Stevens Point, WI on September 24, 1955. She grew up in Wausau and graduated from Wausau West High School in 1973. She received her Bachelors degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1977, served as an officer/detective with Dane County Sheriff's Department from 1978 - 1989. She then attended U.W. Law School obtaining her Doctor of Law degree in 1991. She practiced family law in the Madison area through 2011 when a traumatic brain injury ended her career. She moved to Plant City, FL to be near her mother in March 2013. She purchased a home, and loved her life there even though she was plagued with seizures and often said, "I just want to be normal again". Through her life, she was a very driven, independent, and intelligent person primarily because she was raised with four brothers. All that knew her recognized she was an amazing, joyful, and caring person. She was active in the Dane County March of Dimes, Elder Law Center-Coalition of Wisconsin, numerous dog adoption agencies, and was known to grocery shop buying two of everything with the intention of donating one to a food bank for children. She is survived by her mother, Barbara Thomas-Simms (Richard); brothers, Ronald Jr. (Joyce) Clearwater, FL, Kevin (Diane) Sun Prairie, Kirk (Betty) Cottage Grove; uncles, Gene Thomas (Donna) Lake Mills, Paul Grenier (Cy) San Diego, CA; her partner, Jim Drake Plant City, FL; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Ronald Sr. on April 21, 1996, and her brother, Keith on May 12, 2015. A memorial service and celebration of her life will be held in the Madison area at a future date, and her remains will be interred with her father at Pine Grove Cemetery in Wausau.

Wausau Daily Herald Apr 24 2016