TAMA-Thelma Marie Janssen, age 88, of Tama, died Monday, May 12, 2008 at Marshalltown Medical & Surgical Center following a lengthy illness. A Memorial Service will be held Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 11:00 AM at the Living Faith United Methodist Church in Tama with Pastor Jerry Avise-Rouse officiating. Visitation will be from 10-11 AM, one hour prior to the service at the church. Thelma has donated her body to the University of Iowa Department of Anatomy. Interment will be at a future date at Oak Hill Cemetery in Tama.
Thelma was born on October 12, 1919 in rural Marshall County, the daughter of Carl and Bessie (Brown) Reeder.
On December 21, 1940, she was united in marriage to Ralph J. Janssen in Dysart, Iowa. She formerly worked in the Dietary Department at Grandview Acres in Toledo, and prior to that she worked at the Tama Bakery. Thelma was a member of the Living Faith United Methodist Church in Tama, where she was active in the United Methodist Women. She was also a member of the Tama-Toledo Civic Women and the Toledo American Legion Auxiliary. Thelma enjoyed crossword puzzles and reading, but she especially enjoyed being with her family.
Preceding her in death were her parents: her husband in 1986; one son, Carl Janssen in 1978; two daughters, Doris Buckley in 1978 and Donna Hlas in 2002; one granddaughter, Vicki Reeder in 2003; two sisters; and five brothers.
Survivors include two daughters, Pat Wall of Tama and Phyllis Morrow of Toledo; one daughter-in-law, Ann Tolsdorf of Johnston; one sister, Carol Robinson of Newton; fifteen grandchildren; twenty-three great-grandchildren; several great-great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and two sisters-in-law, Arvella Janssen and Helen Janssen both of Traer.
Memorials may be directed to Living Faith United Methodist Church.