Lola Mae Tomson

July 1, 2021

Lola Mae Tomson

May 5, 1934 – June 30, 2021

Lola was born on May 5, 1934 to Nellie Oxley Walker and Joseph Herbert Walker in Cleo Springs, Oklahoma and died on June 30, 2021 in Fairview, Oklahoma.  Lola graduated from Cleo Springs High School in 1952.  She graduated from Phillips University in 1956 with a degree in secondary education.  She then moved to Syracuse, Kansas in August of 1956 and taught high school English.  She soon met a handsome young man, Martin Tomson, who quickly won her heart and they were married in the Cleo Springs Christian Church on a HOT day in July 1958. 

Lola took three years off from teaching to have a set of twins, Joe and June in December 1960 and a second set of twins, Jack and Jill in April 1963.  

During this time, she attended Fort Hays State College adding a certification in elementary education.  She returned to teaching at Kendall, Kansas until 1971.  The family moved to Johnson, Kansas and Lola drove to Manter, Kansas to teach 1971 to 1977, for a total of eighteen years teaching in Kansas.

August 1977 brought a move back to Cleo Springs, Oklahoma when Martin and Lola purchased the Tomson’s Oxley Homestead Centennial Farm that was homesteaded in the Oklahoma Land Run of 1893 by Lola’s grandparents.  They also purchased Grimes/Tomson Hardware and Lumber.  Lola helped at the hardware store and taught sixteen years at Aline-Cleo Elementary School.

Lola was baptized in the sand pit pond south of Cleo Springs as a child and was a member of the Cleo Springs Christian Church for most of her life and served in several capacities, most obviously as the church pianist and taught herself to play the organ for the church.  She sang with the Victory Singers for several years.  Lola served as a Cleo Cemetery secretary for years and was an excellent Cleo historian.

Following retirement, Lola enjoyed meeting with Major County Retired Educators in Fairview, and attending CWF events, always making new friends.  She loved keeping up with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Survivors include her two sons, Joe Tomson and wife, Mary Ellen of Phoenix, Arizona and Jack Tomson and wife, Terri of Stillwater; two daughters, June Hiebert and husband, Greg of Ringwood and Jill Lasiter and husband, Scott of Harrah; nine grandchildren, Shane Lasiter (Desirae Shaw), David Lasiter (Katie), Tyler Tomson (Heather), Taylor Tomson, Holly Rahmann (Bryson), Tyson Hiebert (Kaci), Kyle Hiebert, Megan Tomson (Nick Smith), Maria Tomson; great grandchildren, Beckham, Bentley, Grace, Heston, Nolan, Kennadee, Floyd, and Zebulun; one sister, Ruth Spurgeon of Cary, North Carolina.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Martin Tomson, and brothers, Wilfred Walker and Paul Dick Walker.

Celebration of life service for Lola will be Saturday, July 3, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at Cleo Springs First Christian Church. There will be no viewing.   Burial will be in Syracuse, Kansas Cemetery.  Arrangements are by Lanman Funeral Home, Inc. of Helena.  www.lanmanmemorials.com  Facebook: Lanman Funeral Home Inc.

Memorials may be given to Cleo First Christian Church or OMRF through the funeral home.