Services for Madeline (Thomas) Summitt, 82, who died Monday, May 17, 2010 at Kavanagh House on 56th Street in Des Moines, will be held 10:30 a.m., Thursday, May 20 at the First United Methodist Church in Indianola. Graveside services will be held 3:00 p.m. at the Oaklawn Cemetery in Oakland, Iowa.

Madeline was born December 10, 1927 in Council Bluffs, IA, daughter of R. John and Carrie (Reid) Thomas of Oakland. She received her education and graduated from Oakland High School in 1945. She continued her education at Iowa State University for two years then transferred to Omaha University, where she received her teaching degree in 1948.

Madeline was united in marriage to James K. Summitt on June 6, 1948 and they were parents of three sons, Alan, Thomas and Roger. Madeline assisted her husband in the funeral business in Maxwell, IA from 1953 to 1970. They moved to Bancroft, IA in 1970 where she assisted her husband in the furniture and gift business until they retired in 1992. She was active in civic and church related activities in both communities. She received her BS degree from Iowa State University in 1970 and taught elementary and middle school students for 23 years in Swea City, IA and St. John's in Bancroft.

James and Madeline moved to Indianola in 2002 where she was a member of the First United Methodist Church, PEO Chapter BP, Monday Club and the Simpson Guild. She loved history, music, books and baking and also enjoyed auditing classes at Simpson College.

She is survived by her husband, James; sons, Alan of Warroad, MN, Thom (Ann) of Pella and Roger (Joni) of Urbandale; 7 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held 3 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, May 19 at Overton Funeral Home in Indianola where family will be present to greet friends from 5:30 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to First United Methodist Church, Hospice of Central Iowa or to the family in her name. Online condolences may be sent at www.overtonfunerals.com.