Thelma Palsma, 95, of Springfield

Funeral Services are 11 AM, Friday, September 26, 2014 at the Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Springfield. Burial is in the Emmanuel Reformed Cemetery, rural Springfield. Visitation will be the hour before services, from 10 until 11 AM, at the funeral home.

Thelma Mae Palsma was born May 21, 1919 in rural Springfield, South Dakota, the daughter of Arthur and Kate (De Roos) Elenbaas. She passed away on Friday, September 19, 2014 at St. Michael's Hospital in Tyndall.

Thelma attended Kirkwood Grade School. In 1930, the family moved to Orange City, Iowa where she attended Orange City Public Grade School, Northwestern Classical Academy and Northwestern Jr. College. She was employed as Secretary of Northwestern College for about five years. She was also employed at the Sioux County War Price and Rationing Office during World War II.

On September 4, 1945 Thelma married John Palsma at her parent's home in Orange City, Iowa. They made their home in Tyndall, South Dakota until March 1946 when they moved to the farm owned by her parents west of Springfield. In 1986 after farming 40 years, they retired and moved into town. They were the parents of 6 children. She was a member of Emmanuel Reformed Church her entire life except while living in Orange City when she was a member of Trinity Reformed Church. She was an active member of Ladies Aid, Willing Workers, and Guild. Thelma taught Sunday School and for many years. She was Supply Coordinator and Bookkeeper for the Sunday School Curriculum at Emmanuel Reformed Church.

John passed away on November 24, 1998. In December 2005, Thelma moved to the Springfield Assisted Living Center where she kept busy reading books and embroidering quilt blocks. She moved to the Tyndall Good Samaritan Home in October 2012.

Thelma is survived by her six children: Ronald (Juanita) Palsma of Sioux Falls, SD, Glenda (Loyal) Meech of Crosslake, MN, Geralyn (Don) Charleston of Cape Coral, FL, Loralea (Paul) Guidry of Spokane, WA, Marlyn (Shelly) Palsma of Springfield, SD, Janelle (Roger) Pelika of Cambridge, MN; eight grandchildren: Brenda (Hal) Teske, Carey (Tasso) Pappas, Justin and Cory Clare, Adam (Jen) Palsma, Ashley (A.J.) Armstrong, Meghan and Karl Pelika; nine great grandchildren: Evangy and Gavy Pappas, Kili Clare, Corbyn, Spencer, and Tatum Palsma, Kinsley, Kasen, and Kennisyn Armstrong; and two step great grandchildren: Ria and Haile Teske.

Thelma was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, son-in-law John Clare, and two sisters: Henrietta Hoekstra and Frances Elenbaas.