Thelma Weber

THELMA'S TRIBUTE VIDEO

Thelma Weber, 90, of Faulkton, went to be with her Lord and Savior on June 29, 2008 at the Faulkton Area Medical Center.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a..m., Thursday, July 3, at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Faulkton, with Rev Rob Nedbalek officiating. Burial was in the Faulkton Cemetery, Faulkton. Visitation was held from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Luce Funeral Home, Faulkton with a 7:30 p.m. prayer service at the church.

Thelma Lucille Dreyer was born May 14, 1918 to John and Anna (Lueth) Dreyer at Howard, S.D. At age one, she moved with her family to a farm west of Seneca, SD. She attended North Canton country school and Seneca High School. She was confirmed in the Lutheran faith at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in 1933 and a few years later taught Sunday school and served as assistant organist. She was a member of the LWML.

She married Frank E. Weber of Jeffers, MT on Easter Sunday, March 30, 1947 in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. They lived on farms near Seneca for a few years. After her father’s death, she returned to her original home with her family. They started a small dairy farm, first milking cows by hand, then by milking machines, and finally installing a pipeline. Thelma grew a large vegetable garden every summer. She canned or froze all her own produce and also canned fruit.

She also found time to be involved with the Seneca American Legion Auxiliary and the Go Getters’ Club. Thelma and Frank enjoyed playing cards and hosting card parties.

Thelma had a deep and abiding faith in God. She and Frank attended church faithfully until ill health prevented her to attend services.

Thelma enjoyed getting together with family and friends. She was an excellent cook. She received many compliments, especially for her homemade dressing and buns. When friends and family stopped by, she always had food or treats to offer her guests.

In 1967 Thelma started giving piano lessons in her home and in Onaka and Tolstoy schools until moving to Faulkton in 1977 where she continued on a smaller scale. Frank and Thelma built their first new home themselves in Faulkton with the help of their brother-in-law, Melvin Klein.

She and her family became charter members of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Faulkton in 1968. She served as their organist for 22 years and was a council member, serving as treasurer for several years.

Thelma and Frank joined the Autumn Leaves Senior Center, where Thelma helped organize a kitchen band. She was the band’s accompanist. She enjoyed this very much as well as going to the nursing home to play for their sing-a-longs twice a month. She also served as the Autumn Leaves’ treasurer for many years. In 1991, they moved from their home to the East View Apartments. She continued to be active in the affairs of the Senior Citizens Center. She was also a member of the Faulkton American Legion Auxiliary. Reflecting back, Thelma said that the years living in Faulkton and performing with the kitchen band were the most enjoyable years of her life. Thelma’s priorities were God and family. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She devoted many hours to church and community service. Her love of music was passed on to her family and students.

Survivors include her husband of 61 years, two sons, Richard (Patricia), Seneca; Barry (Gloria), Sioux Falls; two daughters, DeeAnn (Al) Lovett, Arlington; Sherry (Gary) Karber, Brookings; 11 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandsons.

She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, and two sisters.

Luce Funeral Home of Faulkton has been entrusted with Thelma's arrangements.