Bonita "Mamaw" Thomas, 76 of Sterling passed away at her home on Wednesday, November 24, 2021. A Celebration of Mamaw's life will be held from 12-3 p.m., Saturday, December 18, at 415 Railroad Ave., Iliff, CO 80736.

Bonita was born July 17, 1945, she was the daughter of a Sioux Indian, of the Rosebud Tribe in South Dakota, born in the home of relatives. She was raised by people who traveled alongside the carnival, and this was the start of her adventurous life. Because she traveled alongside the carnival, she did not attend school and unfortunately was unable to read or write. However, not attending school didn't hinder who she was; she performed in the carnivals as a "serpentine girl" at a young age handling snakes and performing for many. As a teenager, she trained to be a wrestler and was known in the carnival and by many as "Texas Tornado".

In 1963, she married Archie Musselman in Indiana and by 1968 they had four girls. In 1972, she had a son. In 1981, Archie passed from having cancer. In the 80's, she came to Colorado to visit her sister Charlie; leading to her meet her next husband, Carter Nordloh. He enjoyed and loved her children and grandchildren very much and still does to this day.

In the early 90's, she married Victor Thomas, always finding enough time she helped raise her granddaughter Ambera Slivers and Victor's daughter Chrystal, in Iliff. By the mid 90's, Bonita was a single grandmother, who poured her time into helping out with her grandson Noah.

She was a talented gardener who cherished playing cards with her close friends weekly. Bonita is known to this day by family and friends as "Mamaw". The highlight of her life was reuniting with her mother Ruby Colombe, who she had not seen since birth. She reunited with her mother through the television show, "This is your life". Unfortunately, Ruby died not long after meeting Bonita.

Mamaw is survived by her sister Charlie Morgan who lives in Arizona; daughter Tammy Howard and husband Jeff and their 5 children and 11 grandchildren; daughter Bonnie Serrano and husband Higinio and their 5 children and 12 grandchildren, with 2 in the oven; daughter Marie Husk and husband Steve and their 2 children and 3 grandchildren; daughter Babette Lookebill and husband Rod and their 4 children and 3 grandchildren; and son Eugene Musselman and his wife Sherri and their 3 children and an infant granddaughter. Mamaw was cared for by her son Eugene and family, until she passed. She will be missed greatly by a large extended family and many friends.