Thelma Edythe Risa was born April 21, 1915, in rural Minneota, Minnesota, to parents Michael L. and Anne V. (Hoversten) Risa. Later that spring, the family moved to a farm south of Hazel Run, Minnesota. She was baptized at St. Lucas Lutheran Church of Normania Township, Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota, and confirmed at the Hazel Run Lutheran Church, Hazel Run, Minnesota, by Rev. A. Haugeland. She graduated from Lutheran Normal School at Madison, Minnesota in 1932. Thelma enjoyed being an active member of their basketball team. Following the death of her mother in 1935, she was the homemaker for the family until 1967 when she moved to Wheaton, Illinois. She was employed as a receptionist in a doctor's office until 1983. At that time, she moved to Clarkfield, Minnesota, and has been an active member of the Clarkfield Lutheran Church until her death. Thelma enjoyed making and stitching quilts as well as a love for growing flowers. Thelma passed away on Wednesday, February 21, 2001, at the Cedar Lake Health Care Center in West Bend, Wisconsin, after a lingering illness, at the age of 85 years and 10 months. She is survived by her two sisters: Helen (and Oscar) Batdorf of Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Ethel (and Edward) Russell of Brookfield, Wisconsin; 16 nieces and nephews; 34 great nieces and nephews; and 10 great great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, three brothers, and one nephew. Blessed be her memory. Visitation Sunday, February 25, 2001, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. Prayer Service 5:30 p.m. Lynner Funeral Home, Clarkfield, Minnesota Funeral Service Monday, February 26, 2001, 11:00 a.m. Clarkfield Lutheran Church, Clarkfield, Minnesota Officiating, Pastor Terry Brandt Organist, Kathy Dufrane Soloist, David Rupp "How Great Thou Art" "Just A Closer Walk With Thee" Congregational Hymns "The Old Rugged Cross" "Amazing Grace" Casket Bearers James Batdorf, John R. Sandstrom Arvid Risa, Dean Risa Michael Risa, Ronald Risa Todd Risa, Richard Russell Final Resting Place Hazel Run Lutheran Cemetery, Hazel Run, Minnesota Arrangements by Lynner Funeral Home Since 1891 Clarkfield Minnesota