Thelma Lois James
October 12, 1923 — January 7, 2023
Thelma Lois James was born on October 12, 1923 near Scio, Oregon to Elmer Limbeck and Crystal Bates. She grew up in the Scio area and graduated from Scio High School with the class of 1941. She was a lifelong resident of Scio/Jordan/Lyons area and liked to talk about the time they lived at the Lulay Mill Camp and all her friends there.
She also told stories about her pet bear cub that her Dad found orphaned in the woods.
Thelma took the train by herself at the age of 19 during WWII to marry her high school sweetheart, Edwin, in Chicago before he shipped out to Hawaii. They were married on February 13, 1943. After the war they purchased acreage near Lyons. She designed the house they built (and kept it immaculate for 65+ years). They raised grass seed, Registered Black Angus, and timber. Thelma was primarily a homemaker but worked at a dry cleaner in Salem during the war. The last 2+ years she lived with her son, Mark and her loving cat, Baby.
Thelma loved to dance and was still dancing at places like Albany Eagles Club into her early 90's. She enjoyed gardening and yard work, which she also did into her early 90's, including mowing her large lawn eventually giving in to a self-propelled push mower. She was an Oregon Republican Party poll worker and participated in OSU Extension, Garden Club, a Bowling League and was a Cub Scout Leader.
On January 7, 2023 Thelma passed away in Keizer, Oregon. She was preceded in passing by her husband, Edwin and brother Everett. Thelma is survived by her children, Marvin James, Maureen Kruse (husband Robert) and Mark James; grandchildren, Evan and LeAndrea James; Kela Kruse and Malia Witham (husband Shane); great-grandchildren, Arlen James; Alexander, Maren, Katheryn and Jack Brackman; Damaris, Kruse and Hope Witham.
A memorial service will take place at Weddle Funeral Service on January 21, 2023 at 1 PM, Graveside service to follow at Bilyeu Den Cemetery.
In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made out in Thelma’s name to The Veterans of Foreign Wars and The Oregon Humane Society of Salem.
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