Thelma Hansen, of North Branch, Ont., passed away peacefully, with her family by her side, on Saturday, Jan. 29, 2011 at the Emo Health Centre in Emo, Ont.
Thelma was born in Sifton Township, Ont. on July 8, 1924 to Maurice and Stella Neilson.
During the time of the Second World War, Thelma was fortunate to be able to attend and graduate from Fort Frances High School. She then went on to Toronto, Ont. and attended Normal School to become a teacher.
Thelma returned to the district and taught school for several years in Dewart and Tovell.
She was united in marriage to Walter Hansen on Aug. 26, 1948. They resided on the Hansen family farm in North Branch, where together they farmed and raised their family.
Thelma was supportive to her community as a 4-H leader and a member of the North Branch United Church Women, and she served on the Local Roads Board for the Township of Sifton.
She enjoyed curling in Stratton and square dancing with the Country Squares. In more recent years, Thelma was passionate about quilting and rug-hooking, working with the North Branch Ladies Community Group and the Sunset Country Rug Hookers Club.
She read extensively and always kept up with the news.
Thelma was a dedicated mother who was always there, whether to share her knowledge, give an opinion, provide a recipe, mend your pants, or babysit a child.
She will be sadly missed by her children, Darrell (Marilyn) of Bergland, Ont., Coleen (Doug) Cross of Emo, Ont., and Jeff (Andrea) of North Branch, Ont.; and her seven grandchildren, Hillary, Jordan, and Courtney Hansen, Jeffrey and Ashley Cross, and Isabelle and Ethan Hansen.
Thelma also is survived by her siblings, Moie Neilson, Keith (Grace) Neilson, and Dixie Kivi; sisters-in-law, Vivian Neilson, Lou Neilson, Katherine Neilson, and Daisy Page; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her parents, Maurice and Stella Neilson; husband, Walter; siblings, Bernice (Paul) Sisco, and Arthur, Carmen, and Garnet Neilson; sister-in-law, Marjorie Neilson; and brother-in-law, Robert Kivi.
Funeral services will be held Monday, Feb. 7, 2011 at 11 a.m. at the Northridge Funeral Home in Emo, with Rev. Frances Flook officiating.
Interment will take place in Pine Ridge Cemetery in North Branch at a later date.
If desired, in memoriam donations may be made to the Riverside Foundation for Health Care-Emo X-ray Department c/o Northridge Funeral Home, P.O. Box 89, Emo, Ont., P0W 1E0.
Online condolences may be offered at www.northridgefuneralhome.com
Featured
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
