Obituary: Thelma Eloise Elder

Thelma Eloise Elder 11/19/1920~3/29/2006 Thelma Elder of Salt Lake City, UT, passed away peacefully on Wednesday morning, March 29, 2006 in Murray, UT. Thelma was born November 19, 1920 in Akron, Iowa to Dick and Mary Bohlken, the third of four children. "Stretch" played basketball for Akron High School where she led her team to the State Tournament and was named All-State Forward in 1939. She graduated from Wayne State Teachers College and taught elementary school for several years before meeting George, her future husband, while he was stationed at Sioux City Air Base, following his service as a B-17 flight mechanic. They were wed on October 20, 1945 in Glendale, CA. The couple lived in Long Beach, CA (where their two children were born), Gardena, CA, and Seattle before settling in Salt Lake City in 1961. Survivors include her sister, Eileen Bohlken, of Long Beach, CA; her daughter, Diane Elder, of Woodside, CA; and her son, Dan Elder, of Phoenix, AZ. She was preceded in death by her husband, George, her brother, Darrell Bohlken, and her sister, Lucille Brown. Her family would like to express their deep appreciation for Dr. Robert Payne, Don and Donna Olsen, her many friends at church, her neighbors on Indian Rock Road, her golfing buddies, the women that make up the Cotton Bottom Social Club, and her new-found friends at The Coventry, all of whom offered Thelma their support and kindness. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 at 2 p.m. at Christ United Methodist Church, 2375 East 3300 South, Salt Lake City, UT. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Christ United Methodist Church. Funeral Directors: Holbrook Mortuary.