63826_Thelma Mary_Turnbaugh
Thelma Turnbaugh, age 100 of Buffalo Center passed away Sunday January 12, 2014 at Rosewood Manor in Estherville.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 AM Saturday, March 22, 2014 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Buffalo Center with Father Dennis Miller officiating. Inurnment will be at Graceland Cemetery, Buffalo Center.
Visitation will be 1 hour before the services at church beginning with the Rosary Service at 9:30 AM.
Thelma Mary Heiman was born August 2, 1913 in Ionia, IA to Peter and Mary (Enenbach) Heiman. She graduated in 1931 from St. Angela~s Academy for Girls in Carroll, IA. Immediately upon graduating from St. Angela~s she taught school for several months until the new teacher arrived. In 1918 the family moved to a farm just outside Buffalo Center, Iowa (just north of the present football field). In 1947 she moved to 417 North Main and lived there until after 1980. She relocated to Oklahoma City from 1988 until 1993 before returning to Buffalo Center.
On May 12, 1947 she married Cletus Turnbaugh in Buffalo Center. Thelma worked as a bookkeeper at the Coop Station from March 1939 until December 1949. Then she joined the staff at Farmers Trust and Savings from January 1950 until retiring after 30 years of service in January of 1980.
Thelma was a lifetime member of St. Patrick~s Catholic Church, an active member of the Altar Society and the American Legion Auxiliary. Thelma enjoyed collecting salt and peppershakers, hearing from family and friends, and playing cards (500). She and Cletus traveled to 48 of the 50 states and brought back outstanding stories and memories. A point of pride has always been the success of all of her family members. Each conversation pointed to the changes and new opportunities available to the next generation. Her home was a gathering point for family reunions and small gatherings. She loved Buffalo Center and bragged about graduates, school growth, and the improvements made to the community. The last four years of her life she enjoyed the family like atmosphere of Rosewood Manor (Estherville).
She is survived by several nieces/nephews, grand nieces/nephews, great nieces/nephews, and yes-great grand nieces/nephews.
Thelma is preceded in death by her 4 siblings Henry, Phil and Leon Heiman and her sister Agatha Thielke, her parents and her husband Cletus in 1980.