Regina Ann Thomas

Madison - Regina Ann Thomas, age 67 passed away peacefully in her bed at her home on Sunday, April 30, 2017. She was born in Madison on May 26, 1949 and grew up in Barneveld, WI. She was the daughter of David and Amy (Nelson) Thomas. At the age of 18, she moved to Madison where she lived the remainder of her days. In 1983, she was united in marriage to James Kraszka. They had three beautiful children, Leon, Joni and Robin. Regina worked very hard to take care and provide for her family. She first worked at Howard Johnson as a housekeeper for fourteen years and then was so happy to land a job at Meriter Hospital. At the hospital, she worked as a lead housekeeper and weekend supervisor for over 20 years. She loved her job and the supervisors that she worked under; Jim Kleist, Deanne Baley and many others and many coworkers. Due to a diagnosis of kidney cancer, she was forced to an early retirement in 2016. Through rigorous treatments, she lastly began an experimental treatment, which involved boosting her immune system. This proved to be rough on her body and she soon lost her ongoing battle with cancer.
Regina was an extremely independent and strong woman, wife, mother and grandmother. She always saw the light in any situation, no matter how rough things were. She loved music and played guitar in the family band, as she was growing up with her parents and siblings. She will be deeply missed everyday as she was a huge part in making us all feel worthy and important, no matter what.
Her smile and laugh, as well as her determination to see the positive in any situation, will always be something to remember her by. What we all strive to live by because of her and what she has instilled in us.
Regina is survived by her husband of 34 years, James "Jim" Kraszka of Madison, Leon Thomas of Racine, Joni (Steve Lincoln) Thomas of Tomah and Robin Kraszka of Madison, four grandchildren, Steven Foster, Virginia Mae Lincoln, Joshua Lincoln, and Stephanie Lincoln, a brother Doug Thomas of Barneveld and two sisters; diana (Richard Petro) Thomas of Canton, CT and Maggie (Lyle Fish) Thomas of Richland Center. She is also survived by other loving family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents
A gathering to celebrate Regina's life will be held at The Thomas Family Farm in Barneveld on Thursday, May 25, 2017 from 12 Noon until 5:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in memory of Regina to the family.