Vanesa L. Thomas, age 16, died Sunday, October 15, 2006 at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa.

Vanesa was born September 19, 1990 the daughter of Scott Thomas and Vicki Wendland. She was a sophomore at Centerville High School where she was a football manager and in charge of taping the games. Vanesa received the Academic Presidential Award in 2005. One month prior to her death, Vanesa decided to be an organ donor to the Iowa Donor Network in North Liberty, Iowa.

Vanesa is surviced by her parents; Scott Thomas of Centerville and Vicki(Larry)Wendland of Centerville; two sisters, Johnelle(Josh)Sinnott of Centerville, Iowa, Danielle Bohn and her fiance Chris Cook both of Centerville, Iowa; a brother, River Wendland of Centerville, Iowa; two nephews, Owen and Ryan Sinnott both of Centerville, Iowa; two grandmothers, Frances Leanne Thomas of Centerville, Iowa and Barbara Edwards of Cedar City, Utah; grandparents Glen and Lily Hamlin of Centerville, Iowa; great grandmother, Sadie Fielder of Ft. Worth, Texas; God parents that raised her for several years; Sandy(Tracy)Thomas of Centerville, Iowa, Steve(Tammi)Thomas of Centerville, Iowa, Lori(Steve)Bairette of Minnesota, Glenda(Chris)Morris of Olathe, Kansas, Krystal and April Hamlin both of Centerville, Iowa; and a great aunt and uncle Ron and Janice Hamlin.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 pm Saturday October 21, 2006 at the Simon Estes Auditorium, Centerville, Iowa with Pastor Terry Chapman officiating. Interment will follow at the Hanes Cemetery in Centerville, Iowa. A visitation will be held all day Friday with the family present from 6-8 pm at the Thomas Lange Funeral Home, Centerville, Iowa. A memorial has been established to the Vanesa Thomas Memorial Fund and may be left at the funeral home.