Vanida Suthiwan Tompkins, 83, passed away on Wednesday, November 21 at University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City.

A visitation is scheduled for Tuesday, December 4, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Hoffmann, Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home at 3860 Asbury Road in Dubuque, IA.

Vanida was born in 1935 in Suphan Buri, Thailand to Sub-Lieutenant Manob (father) and Chanthes (mother). She worked agricultural and service positions until she earned a beautician certificate and was employed in a beauty salon in Thailand.

In 1966, one year before the U.S. Supreme Court struck down all state laws banning interracial marriage, she married U.S. Marine Corps Lance Corporal Jerry M. Tompkins of Traverse City, Michigan in Bangkok, Thailand. In 1998, Vanida was naturalized as a U.S. Citizen in Charlotte, NC.

Vanida enjoyed gardening, growing mostly vegetables and hot peppers for her Thai recipes. She also enjoyed cooking, taking walks, and caring for her family.

Survivors include a son, George (Lisa Garoutte) Tompkins; 2 grandchildren, Lucille and Gwendolyn; sister-in-law Denise (Steve) Fasbinder; brother-in-laws Budd (Gretchen) Tompkins, and Joe (Judy) Tompkins; and several nieces and nephews.

Vanida was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Jerry M. Tompkins, and her parents.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hskfh.com