Thelma Maxine Seekamp, 88, of Norwalk passed away Monday, March 3, 2014, at the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse.
Thelma was born Oct. 24, 1925, to Listen and Gladys (Dennis) Toms in Cogan, Iowa.
On Nov. 11, 1944, Thelma married Owen Seekamp. Together they farmed in rural Ontario. In 1975, they retired from farming and moved to Norwalk, where Thelma remained until her death. Thelma was an active member in the Norwalk Lioness Club.
Thelma was a strong woman who loved her children very much. She raised a very large garden, where she canned and preserved fruits and vegetables. Thelma always enjoyed holidays; at Easter, she gave baskets full of goodies to all of her grandchildren. Giving gifts brought Thelma so much joy.
Thelma is survived by her children, Keith of Delray Beach, Fla., Barbara (Bob) Fritz of Inverness, Fla., John (Rosmary) of Illinois, David (Judy) of Ontario, James (Karen) of La Crosse, Erwin (Edie) of Racine, Danny (Deb) of Bangor, Eugene of La Crosse, Eddy of Sparta, Roger of Shreveport, La., Gerry of Sparta, Tommy of Milwaukee, Marjorie (Lenny) Wnuk of West Bend, Wis., Nancy Ulik of Jacksonville, Fla., Ruth (Wayne) Peth of Benton, Ky., Carol (Mark Deford) Tischer of Mayville, Wis., Elaine Bender of La Crosse, Terry (Rick) Martens of Jacksonville, Fla., Sherry Herb of Louisville, Ky., and Tammy Kusak of Milwaukee; 41 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; two daughters-in-law, Verna Seekamp of Aurora, Mo., and Katherine Seekamp of Pella, Iowa; a sister, Gail Landis; her dear friend, who was like a daughter, Kay Klinkner; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and her special baby, Midget, her dog.
Thelma was preceded in death by her husband, Owen, in 1984; five sons, Robert, Pauly, Donald, Russell and Vernon; a daughter, Helen Safranek; a granddaughter, Lisa Piotrowski; a grandson, Marvin Seekamp; along with Thelma’s siblings.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, March 7, at the Norwalk Community Center. Pastor Bob Streeter will officiate. Burial will follow in Pilgrim’s Home Cemetery, rural Norwalk.
Family and friends are invited for visitation from 5-8:30 p.m. Thursday, March 6, with a prayer service at 8 p.m., at the Torkelson Page-Smith Funeral Home in Sparta. Visitation also will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of service Friday at the Norwalk Community Center.
The Torkelson Page-Smith Funeral Home of Sparta and Norwalk is assisting the family with arrangements.
Thelma’s family would like to thank Rolling Hills Rehab Center and Gundersen’s Cardiac Care Unit for the exceptional care that Thelma received.
Online condolences may be offered at http://www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
