Obituary of Edna (Perlinger) Kilmer Thomas

Edna Theresa (Perlinger) Kilmer Thomas, age 91, died on March 25, 2024, in Olympia, Washington, after several years living peacefully with Alzheimer’s disease in the care of her children. She was born in Elsie, Nebraska, on June 25, 1932, the daughter of Mary (Fellner) and Paul Perlinger III. She grew up on the family wheat farm in Elsie. Her father and three of his brothers settled neighboring homesteads so Edna had 28 first cousins nearby as well as six siblings. She remembered many hours of milking cows and pulling weeds, largely to avoid the indoor work. Edna attended St. Patrick’s High School in North Platte and graduated from Paxton High School. With her first husband, James Kilmer, she lived in New York, California, Rhode Island, and Kitsap County, Washington, before moving to Arlington, Washington, in 1965.

Committed to her faith, Edna was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Arlington, serving on the parish council and in many other roles. She worked at Cascade District Court for 22 years.  After retirement, she became the director of the Arlington Community Food Bank, where she had volunteered for many years.

Along with raising eight children, Edna had many interests and was usually willing to try something new.  At home, she was known for her prowess with jigsaw puzzles, knitting, and gardening. She loved the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest and enjoyed camping, hiking, coaching softball, and watching several generations of children’s sports. In the 1960s, she won the Washington State women’s archery championship. She took up running on her 50^th birthday, eventually winning many races in her age group and completing marathons in Seattle, Olympia and Hawaii.  She loved travel and adventure, taking many road trips across the U.S. and Canada and visiting Japan, Israel, Switzerland, Austria, and other European countries. Edna married Myron Thomas in 1999 and enjoyed exploring the Southwest in their RV, camping with their large families, and cruising to Alaska.

Edna is survived by her children, Toni (Brian), Sonnie (Ted), Joyce (Stephen), Dan (Patty), Amy (Mike), Pat (Marty); many grandchildren and great grandchildren; and her sister, Clara Wamsley. She was predeceased by her husbands, Myron Thomas and James Jay Kilmer, Sr.; her sons, Keith Allen Kilmer (Tiffanie) and James Jay Kilmer, Jr.; her parents; and her siblings, Marian, Paul IV, Bill, Lucille, and Martha.  

A graveside service will be held Saturday, April 27, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at the Arlington Municipal Cemetery, with reception immediately following.

In remembrance of Edna’s life, the family asks that any charitable donations in her honor be made to the Arlington Community Food Bank, 19118 63rd Avenue NE, Arlington, WA 98223. 

Please leave condolences or share memories and photos on the Tribute Wall to the left.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Edna Thomas, please visit Tribute Store