Obituary of Thelma Hjorth

Thelma Orlene Hjorth of Camrose, passed away on Friday October 17, 2014 at the age of 91 years. Thelma Orlene was born at the family farm near Armena to parents, Arthur and Bertina Skaret, on April 17, 1923. She was baptized and confirmed at Scandia Lutheran Church. Thelma attended Lyseng School and later CLBI, before taking a secretarial course at Camrose Lutheran College. She worked for a time as a Parish Worker in Medicine Hat and later helped to manage the Corner Bookstore in Camrose, a business which her mother had established. When her close friendship with Niels began, Thelma was employed as a bookkeeper/secretary at CLC. Niels Hjorth and Thelma were married at Messiah Lutheran Church on April 19, 1969, and thus began her life on the farm in the irrigation district at Tilley, Alberta. Thelma embraced her new role and her new community. Along with her husband, she was very involved at Bethany Lutheran Church and was active in such things as Choir, Quilting Group and Church Council, as well as serving as the Superintendent of the Sunday School. After their retirement, Niels and Thelma moved to Camrose in 1999 and lived in Crown Place where they enjoyed meeting their new neighbours, as well as renewing old friendships and spending time with family. They had many happy times taking trips in their fifth wheel to locations both near and far. On February 14, 2013, Thelma had a serious stroke which took away the use of the left side of her body. She tackled this new challenge with great determination and never gave up hope with her husband and best friend, Niels, at her side. While recuperating in a care centre in Viking, friends and family gathered to celebrate Thelma's 90th birthday as well as their 44th wedding anniversary. Thelma was later moved to Camrose and was living at the Louise Jensen Care Centre at the time of her passing on October 17, 2014. Thelma has gone to join her parents; brothers Philip and Marville; and sister and brother-in-law, Clarice and Art Olafson. Left to cherish her memory is her loving husband Niels; her brother Daniel (Brenda); sister-in-law Dolores Skaret; and brother-in-law Harry Hjorth (Dagne); and an adoring group of nieces and nephews. A funeral service was held on Thursday October 23, 2014 at 1:00pm from Messiah Lutheran Church, Camrose with Rev. Greg Pietz officiating. Interment has taken place in the Bethany Lutheran Church Cemetery Tilley, Alberta. A time of visitation was held prior to interment in the church at the Bethany Lutheran Cemetery near Tilley, Alberta from 12:30 to 1:00pm on Friday October 24th, 2014. In Lieu of flowers memorial contributions are gratefully accepted to Canadian Lutheran Bible Institute 4837 52A street Camrose, Alberta T4V 1W8 or World Missionary Prayer League 5408 49th ave Camrose, Alberta T4V 0N7 or Hastings Lake Bible Camp #135 51268 RR# 204 Sherwood Park Alberta T8G 1E9 . Directions to the Bethany Lutheran Cemetery near Tilley, Alberta: From Camrose, drive East on Hwy 13. Turn South onto Hwy 36 (at Killam). Drive to Hwy 1, turn Left (South/East) towards Tilley, Ab. Turn South on 876, drive past Tilley, Ab to AB-535 West to Range Road 134.