Obituary of Carolyn L. Thoman

Carolyn Louise (Hug) Thoman, age 70 formerly of Iowa City died Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at the Rehabilitation Center of Lisbon.

Memorial services will be held at 2pm, Thursday, July 25, 2024, at the Coralville United Methodist Church in Coralville.  In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made in her memory to N.A.M.I. of Johnson County. 

Carolyn Louise Hug was born July 11, 1953, in Ames, Iowa.  She was the daughter of Daniel H. and Phyllis (Maynard) Hug.  Their family moved to Iowa City in 1958, and then in 1963 moved into their family home on 5th Street in Coralville.  

Carolyn grew up in a family that loved camping and hiking.  She particularly loved going to Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado.  She carried that tradition into young adult hood, even climbing Longs Peak!  She was also an avid downhill skier and had the opportunity to ski in the Swiss Alps.

She attended school in the Iowa City School District graduating from West High in 1971 with honors.  Carolyn was an excellent clarinet player, making Allstate in high school.  Later she learned to play the piano.  At the University of Iowa she started pursing her music interest more deeply as a music major, but decided to pursue another interest in Pharmacy graduating with her BS of Pharmacy in 1977. She worked as a registered pharmacist for 17 years in Iowa and Texas. 

Carolyn was active in ministry in the earlier years of her life.  She lived in Europe from 1977 to 1980 and helped lead a youth ministry in Germany.  In 1981 she was a volunteer missionary family on the operation mobilization mission ship based out of England.

Carolyn enjoyed crocheting.  She made many baby afghans that she donated to the United Methodist Church in Coralville and were handed out to families that had their babies baptized.  She also crocheted many afghans and other items for her family members and friends.

Carolyn loved watching movies and she had a large collection of VHS tapes. Some of her favorites were the Bond series, the Bodyguard, and Pretty Women, but she had so many favorites they can’t all be listed. She also loved watching the Nutcracker Ballet and the Irish dancer Micheal Flattery.

Carolyn also loved to write letters and send cards to family and friends.  She would mail letters just about every single day.

Carolyn loved Christmas and was always wanting to put her tree up as soon as possible.  If she had the ability, her Christmas decorations would stay up year round and was usually asking for the tree in August.  Carolyn had a collection of snowmen and nut crackers that she always had on display no matter the season. Carolyn was a very generous person who loved giving gifts to everyone, helping others, but especially her family.  Her generosity, caring, and desire to help was how she showed her love.

Carolyn struggled with mental illness and suffered from many complicated health issues.  She persevered through issues that would have many people complaining, but she never asked for pity, and always found the positives in everything.  Her world was her family and her friends!  Carolyn was always there for her children even though she had significant health issues of her own.  The family would like to give a tremendous thank you to the University of Iowa Hospital, Briarwood Health Care Center and the Rehabilitation Center of Lisbon for the excellent care they gave Carolyn. 

Carolyn was the oldest of 6 children.  She is survived by her family. This includes her two children; Jeremy Thoman (wife Abigail) and Jennifer Thoman; her 3 grandchildren, Annabelle, Levi, and Sophia; Carolyn’s mother, Phyllis; her siblings, Nancy Hug-Montier (husband William), Gary Hug, Richard Hug (wife Rona), Andrew Hug (wife Cherrie) and Linda Hug; six nieces and nephews, Andrea, Billy, Stephanie, Stacy, Miranda and Caitlin; and Carolyn’s former husband, Joseph Thoman.

She was preceded in death by her father, Daniel H. Hug.  Carolyn will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved her.