Thelma Mae Wahl 1916-2011

WAHL OSBORN YOULL

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 6/23/2011 at 16:38:13

Sioux City Journal
7 April 2011

PIERSON, Iowa -- Thelma M. Wahl, 94, of Pierson passed away Tuesday afternoon, April 5, 2011, at a Sioux City hospital.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at United Methodist Church in Pierson, with the Rev. William Cotton officiating.

Visitation will begin at 2 p.m. today, with the family present 5:30 to 7 p.m., an Order of the Eastern Star service at 6:30 p.m. conducted by the Thonna Chapter of Anthon, Iowa, at Johnson-Earnest Funeral Home in Kingsley, Iowa. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the service Friday at the church. Thoughts, stories and condolences may be directed to the family through the www.mauerjohnsonfh.com website.

Thelma Mae Wahl, the daughter of Wilkie (Osborn) and John V. Youll, was born April 9, 1916, in Sioux City. In 1918, her family moved to Pierson, 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. In their later years, and following a serious car accident, Thelma and Charlie moved to Countryside Independent Apartments in Sioux City. Charlie passed away on June 8, 1999. In 2009, Thelma became a resident, and made her home at, Sunrise Retirement Community in Sioux City.

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 creme 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 United Methodist Church and 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.

She is survived by her four children, Roger Wahl of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Ralph and Jean Wahl of Tucson, Ariz., Jo Ann and Richard Lopez of Rockwall, Texas, and Charles and Paulette Wahl of Sioux City; her sister, Eleanor and Herb Murkin of Canby, Minn.; her brothers, Jim and Lorna Youll and George and Myrna Youll, all of Sac City, Iowa; and her sister-in-law, Thelma Youll of Sac City. 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; 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.

Thelma will be dearly missed by all who have shared in her life.