Wahl, Thelma M. 1916 - 2011

WAHL, YOULL, OSBORN

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 5/29/2011 at 21:02:28

Thelma M. Wahl
(April 9, 1916 - April 5, 2011)

Pierson, Iowa – Thelma M. Wahl, 94, of Pierson, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday afternoon, April 5, 2011, at the Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City, Iowa.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 8, 2011, at the United Methodist Church in Pierson, Iowa, with the Rev. William Cotton officiating. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 7, 2011, at the Johnson-Earnest Funeral Home in Kingsley, Iowa. The family will be present from 5:30-7:00 p.m. An Order of the Eastern Star service, provided by the Thonna Chapter from Anthon, is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. The visitation will continue at the Pierson United Methodist Church on Friday, one hour prior to Thelma’s service.

Thelma Mae Wahl, the daughter of Wilkie (Osborn) and John V. Youll, was born April 9, 1916, in Sioux City, Iowa. In 1918, her family moved to Pierson, Iowa, where she later graduated from the Pierson Consolidated High School in 1934. On March 6, 1936, in Sac City, Iowa, Thelma was united in marriage to Charlie S. Wahl. The couple lived and farmed west of Pierson, and became the proud parents of four children. In 1976, their farm was certified as a “Century Farm.” They retired from their farming operation in 1998.

Some of Thelma’s interests and hobbies included reading, embroidery, and quilting. She made beautiful keepsake quilts for each of her children and grandchildren, and countless baby quilts. Her family recalls that Thelma had a great sense of humor, always enjoying, “a good trick or practical joke!” She is remembered for her best-ever apple dumplings, Bavarian Crème dessert, and homemade bread. Together, Thelma and Charlie loved to travel. They especially enjoyed time spent at their cabin in Minnesota, visiting in the homes of their family, and wintering in Brownsville, Texas. When in Texas, Thelma offered her time as a swimming assistant to individuals with special disability challenges. Thelma was a member of the United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women in Pierson. She dedicated many hours of her time, assisting on various church committees.

She was a 50-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star-Thonna Chapter of Anthon, Iowa, where she served as a former Worthy Matron. Thelma was also a former Girl Scout leader, a house mother for Catholic Charities in Sioux City, and on the Council of Rainbow for Girls. She earned the honor of receiving the Grand Cross of Colors. In their later years, and following a serious car accident, Thelma and Charlie moved to the Countryside Independent Apartments in Sioux City. Charlie passed away on June 8, 1999. In 2009, Thelma became a resident, and made her home at the Sunrise Retirement Community in Sioux City.

Thelma will be dearly missed by all who have shared in her life. She is survived by her four children, Roger Wahl of Council Bluffs, IA, Ralph and Jean Wahl of Tucson, AZ, Jo Ann and Richard Lopez of Rockwall, TX, and Charles and Paulette Wahl of Sioux City; her sister, Eleanor and Herb Murkin of Canby, MN; her brothers, Jim and Lorna Youll and George and Myrna Youll, all of Sac City, IA; and her sister-in-law, Thelma Youll of Sac City, IA. Thelma will also be missed by her six grandchildren, Kimberly (Tim) Taylor, Erin (Dale) Ruis, Gregory (Diane) Wahl, Jolene (Brent) Burmeister, Bradley (Christy) Wahl, and Catherine (Taylor) Stoval; her 12 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. Preceding Thelma in death is her husband, Charlie Wahl; her parents, John and Wilkie Youll; her two sisters and their husbands, Gladys and Lyle Sparks and Ruth and Duane Pohl; a sister in infancy; her two brothers, Ralph Youll and Rollo Youll and his wife, Harriett; and her daughter-in-law, Margery Wahl.

Johnson-Earnest Funeral Home
Kingsley, IA