In 1905, The Thomases moved to Alberta, Canada and settled in a log cabin on Battle Lake, but after Willard's death in 1909, the rural existence became too taxing for Augusta.
After her relationship with Ehrlich, Thomas lived in Rio Grande Valley, New Mexico, New York City, Vernon, New Jersey and the US Virgin Islands.
After moving to Lincoln with her mother and siblings, she dropped out of high school and acquired a Second Grade teaching certificate in order to support her family at the age of 16.
Thomas' works range from the sentimental to the satirical, frequently "[challenging] stereotypes of good-hearted country people.
"[2] They follow the lives of female protagonists who are, according to Thomas scholar Christine Pappas, "self-reliant but flawed women.
[4] She teamed with illustrator Ruth Gannett to write a children's book Hi-Po the Hippo, published by Random House.