Kenna Marie Thomas

Kenna M. (Brulja) Thomas, 56, successfully completed her earthly career and began her heavenly endeavor on Saturday afternoon, January 16, 2016. She was a caring daughter, supportive sister, loving wife, nurturing mother and a friend to all. She will be sorely missed and yet never forgotten. A rosary will be prayed at 5:00 PM at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church 708 N. 4th St., KC,KS, on Friday, Jan. 22 with visitation beginning after that until 8:00 PM. The Funeral Mass will be at St. Johns Church at 10:00 AM Saturday, Jan. 23, followed by inurnment in Mt. Calvary Mausoleum. The family suggests donations be made to the Kenna M. Thomas Memorial Fund in care of Brotherhood Bank and Trust, or online to https://www.gofundme.com/livingforKenna.
Kenna was born in Kansas City, KS to Mike and Delores A.(Gunya) Brulja on Oct. 9, 1959. She was presently employed as a Director of Communications for Goodcents Deli Fresh Subs. Kenna was a member of St. Johns Church, its Altar Society, St. Bernadettes Circle, St. Cecilia Choir, and the CFU. As a youth, she taught in the Reach Program and was a member of the St. John the Baptist Junior Tamburitzans. She loved to travel, especially to see her daughter, Rachel and niece, Kaitlyns theatrical performances. She loved crocheting, knitting, and cooking for family and friends.
Preceding her in death was her mother, Delores (Lolly), and step-mother Joan Brulja. She leaves behind her father, Mike Brulja; husband, George Thomas and daughter Rachel Thomas; sister: Valerie M. Davidson (Jay) and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Condolences may be expressed at www.skradskifh-kc.com
Kennas professional life was as varied as her personal life was rich. After giving up a full ride tennis scholarship to assist in the care of her ailing mother, Kenna learned cosmetology at Hays Hairdressing School. She was so good that upon graduation, they made her an instructor. She taught and worked at several salons before moving on to Myron Green where she worked her way up from an office assistant counting vending machine money to human resources manager negotiating annual health care contracts and managing workmen compensation claims. Another career transition took her into commercial realty where she worked until she landed her final position with Goodcents Deli Fresh Subs in the corporate office in Desoto, Ks. Those who knew Kenna had no doubts about where she stood. Kenna could overwhelm you with her infectious smile or make you feel welcome with a warm hug, but if one opened the door with a snarky remark or a contrary attitude, she had the sharpness of tongue to properly cut and stack one into their proper place. Her creativity and love for people was made manifest in the bags, scarfs, hats, runners, and other items she crocheted, cross stitched, or embroidered for family and friends. Rachel always found herself wearing a handmade Halloween costume that was original, cute, and usually borrowed by someone else the next year. Kenna was there to assist in costuming for Music Theater for Young People and provided backstage assistance and general budding starlet herding for the recitals of Miller Marley School of Dance and Voice. Kennas culinary prowess was sought out and cherished as well. Her Croatian potato salad made ones taste buds stand up and take notice. Her special coleslaw made one speculate as to what was the secret ingredient that made it taste so good. Her smoked sausage was based on her dads recipe and it was always requested for family functions. She carried on the tradition of making povitica with her sister Valerie and cousins. She was not afraid to experiment with her cooking but the net result was always the same: no matter what she made, it always disappeared. The love in Kennas heart was too much to be contained in one place. One may assume that is why the essence of her touched so many people and why we feel the loss of her so deeply. Kenna is gone but her love lives on.
Kenna M. (Brulja) Thomas, 56, successfully completed her earthly career and began her heavenly endeavor on Saturday afternoon, January 16, 2016. She was a caring daughter, supportive sister, loving wife, nurturing mother and a friend to all. She will be sorely missed and yet never forgotten. A rosary will be prayed at 5:00 PM at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church 708 N. 4th St., KC,KS, on Friday, Jan. 22 with visitation beginning after that until 8:00 PM. The Funeral Mass will be at St. Johns Church at 10:00 AM Saturday, Jan. 23, followed by inurnment in Mt. Calvary Mausoleum. The family suggests donations be made to the Kenna M. Thomas Memorial Fund in care of Brotherhood Bank and Trust, or online to https://www.gofundme.com/livingforKenna. Kenna was born in Kansas City, KS to Mike and Delores A.(Gunya) Brulja on Oct. 9, 1959. She was presently employed as a Director of Communications for Goodcents Deli Fresh Subs. Kenna was a member of St. Johns Church, its Altar Society, St. Bernadettes Circle, St. Cecilia Choir, and the CFU. As a youth, she taught in the Reach Program and was a member of the St. John the Baptist Junior Tamburitzans. She loved to travel, especially to see her daughter, Rachel and niece, Kaitlyns theatrical performances. She loved crocheting, knitting, and cooking for family and friends. Preceding her in death was her mother, Delores (Lolly), and step-mother Joan Brulja. She leaves behind her father, Mike Brulja; husband, George Thomas and daughter Rachel Thomas; sister: Valerie M. Davidson (Jay) and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Condolences may be expressed at www.skradskifh-kc.com Kennas professional life was as varied as her personal life was rich. After giving up a full ride tennis scholarship to assist in the care of her ailing mother, Kenna learned cosmetology at Hays Hairdressing School. She was so good that upon graduation, they made her an instructor. She taught and worked at several salons before moving on to Myron Green where she worked her way up from an office assistant counting vending machine money to human resources manager negotiating annual health care contracts and managing workmen compensation claims. Another career transition took her into commercial realty where she worked until she landed her final position with Goodcents Deli Fresh Subs in the corporate office in Desoto, Ks. Those who knew Kenna had no doubts about where she stood. Kenna could overwhelm you with her infectious smile or make you feel welcome with a warm hug, but if one opened the door with a snarky remark or a contrary attitude, she had the sharpness of tongue to properly cut and stack one into their proper place. Her creativity and love for people was made manifest in the bags, scarfs, hats, runners, and other items she crocheted, cross stitched, or embroidered for family and friends. Rachel always found herself wearing a handmade Halloween costume that was original, cute, and usually borrowed by someone else the next year. Kenna was there to assist in costuming for Music Theater for Young People and provided backstage assistance and general budding starlet herding for the recitals of Miller Marley School of Dance and Voice. Kennas culinary prowess was sought out and cherished as well. Her Croatian potato salad made ones taste buds stand up and take notice. Her special coleslaw made one speculate as to what was the secret ingredient that made it taste so good. Her smoked sausage was based on her dads recipe and it was always requested for family functions. She carried on the tradition of making povitica with her sister Valerie and cousins. She was not afraid to experiment with her cooking but the net result was always the same: no matter what she made, it always disappeared. The love in Kennas heart was too much to be contained in one place. One may assume that is why the essence of her touched so many people and why we feel the loss of her so deeply. Kenna is gone but her love lives on.