Thelma Maxine (Chambers) ARNOLD

ARNOLD, CHAMBERS, TABB, LILYGREN, TRCA, TRCA-CHARLIE, CHARLIE, CAPALDO, BREDBENNER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 7/10/2010 at 11:18:38

Belmond Independent, Iowa
June 9, 2005

Thelma M. Arnold, 86, died June 3, 2005 at Concord Care Center in Garner. Services were held June 8 at the Klemme United Methodist Church with Rev. Paddy Druhl officiating. Inurnment was in the Ell Township Cemetery, Klemme. Thelma Maxine was born July 28, 1918 in Millston, WI to John Arthur and Lois Ann (Tabb) Chambers. In 1922 the family moved to Delta, Utah. In 1925 they moved to Corwith where Thelma grew up in a close-knit extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins. Thelma was valedictorian of the Corwith High School class of 1936, and in 1940 she graduated from Iowa State College, majoring in home economics. She taught home economics for two years in Lamont and then in Britt, until she married. She married Roy Elmer Arnold on June 18, 1946, Thelma became a full-time wife and mother. Her family was very important to her, and many activities centered around it: baking special birthday cakes, and helping with Cub Scout activities and 4-H demonstrations. She enjoyed gardening and canning. She was interested in genealogy, particularly of the Tabb and Chambers families. She was a 4-H club leader in Avery township and a judge in all nearby counties at fair time. She was a member (often an officer) of the United Methodist Women, American Legion Auxiliary, Farm Bureau Women, Hancock County Historical Society, Riverside Club, Eastern Star, Potpourri, Garden Club and Grandmothers Club.

On May 31 she suffered a stroke from which she never recovered. Preceding her in death were her parents; brother Wayne Chambers; and sister-in-law Nancy Chambers. Survivors include her husband; sons William (Lanette) Arnold and Lance (Christine "Tish") Arnold; daughter Arlys Arnold (Carol Lilygren) all of Klemme; son Don (Gail) Arnold of Taos, NM; grandchildren Monica (Jason) Trca-Charlie, Michelle Trca, Tami Trca, Travis (Trisha) Trca, Bradi Arnold, Kelly Arnold and Robert Arnold; great-grandchildren Genero, Preston and Cameron Charlie, Cali and Anthony Capaldo, and Kennedy Trca; brothers-in-law Wilbur Arnold and Bruce Arnold, sister-in-law Evelyn Arnold; eight nieces and nephews; and cousin Novella Bredbenner.