Thelma Geneva Gaarder

Sibley, IA Thelma G. Gaarder, age 92 of Sibley, IA, died Saturday, August 28, 2010 at the Country View Manor in Sibley. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM Tuesday, August 31, 2010 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Sibley, with Reverend Scott Meyer officiating. Following lunch at Trinity Lutheran, family and friends are asked to meet at Elk Creek Lutheran Cemetery in Kensett, IA for a 3:00 PM burial. Visitation will be Monday, August 30th from 2:00 to 7:00 PM, with the family present from 5:30 to 7:00 PM at the Jurrens Funeral Home of Sibley. Thelma Geneva Julseth was born on July 1, 1918 in Kensett, IA, and was the only girl of six children born to Clifford and Minnie (Brunsvold) Julseth. Thelma (aka Granny Puff) was united in marriage with Hoyt Gaarder on December 29, 1941, days prior to his departure for the European Theatre during WWII. While Hoyt was in the military, Thelma worked at a bank in Mason City, IA. Upon Hoyts return from the War, they moved to Worth County, IA where they farmed from 1946 until 1957. During this time, Thelma also worked at a bank in Northwood, IA. While they were living on the farm, they welcomed their three children: Angelynn, Brian, and Scott. The Gaarder family later moved to Sibley, IA where Thelma worked as an accounting secretary for her husbands insurance business. Thelma had three priorities in her life and she listed them in the following order: Faith, Family and Friends. Thelma was an active member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Sibley. When she wasnt raising her children or spending time with grandchildren, she was volunteering for her church and Meals on Wheels. Thelma was an avid golfer, and enjoyed music and testing her Jeopardy skills. She loved to spend her time reading, doing crossword puzzles, baking, supporting Hoyts passion for the Hawkeyes and Vikings, traveling, and being involved in her bridge and sewing clubs. In addition to her loving husband, the joy of her life was time spent with her family during holidays and vacations. Thelma is survived by her three children, Angelynn Dolan (husband Robert Corey) of Sioux Falls, SD, Brian (wife Carolyn) Gaarder of Fargo, ND and Scott (wife Judy) Gaarder of Sibley, IA; numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren; one brother-in-law and three sisters-in-law; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Hoyt Gaarder; son-in-law Thad Dolan, and five brothers.