THELMA MARY WAIDELICH, 100, a longtime Skagit County resident, passed away on Friday July 4, 2003 at the Life Care Center of Skagit Valley in Sedro-Woolley.
She was born on July 21, 1902 in Mills County, Iowa, one of thirteen children of James R. & Addie Mitchell Parker.
Thelma was raised and attained her education in Mills County, returning to be a teacher there in a one room schoolhouse. In 1926 she was united in marriage to Conrad Waidelich in Omaha, Nebraska and they made their home in Nebraska until moving to Clear Lake, WA in 1945. During that time Thelma was a devoted wife, mother and home maker. She was very active in her church, the Community Covenant Church in Clear Lake, where she was a Sunday school teacher for many years. She was also active with Good News Club, a religious group for children.
Conrad passed away in 1978 and in 1979 Thelma married his brother, Ben, who also preceded her in death in 1981.
Leisure time found her playing cards, fishing, gardening, volunteering with the Women’s Ministries and being with her family.
Thelma is survived by her son & daughter-in-law, Frank & Loretta Waidelich of Clear Lake, WA and her daughter, Ruth Kelley of Red Oak, Iowa. A brother, Ted Parker and his wife Shirley of Seattle, a daughter-in-law, Irene Waidelich of Eatonville, WA and a sister-in-law, Mary Ann Parker of Sedro-Woolley. 12 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, 12 great-great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Besides her husbands, she was also preceded in death by her parents, a son Louis Waidelich, 7 sisters and 4 brothers.
Thelma’s family suggests memorials be made to the Child Evangelism Fellowship in Mount Vernon.
Funeral services will be held on Monday July 7, 2003 at 3:30 pm at the Community Covenant Church in Clear Lake. Pastor Bruce Shellhamer officiating. Interment will follow at the Clear Lake Cemetery. Services under direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley. Share thoughts of Thelma and sign the online guest register at www.lemleychpael.com